How to keep your teeth shiny? (Dental Care) Let's talk about this!

When you smile beautifully, how nice it would be if your teeth were also shiny? Just think, the health of our mouth is very important for the health of our entire body. So today, let's talk about how to properly take care of these precious teeth and protect them from diseases.

Why is it so important to take care of our teeth?

Simply put, taking good care of your teeth can help prevent cavities and gum disease . When you brush and floss your teeth, you remove plaque . This is actually a sticky film that is made up of bacteria in your mouth that is not visible to the naked eye. To be precise, it is a yellow layer that forms on your teeth. If this plaque is not removed properly, it can harden and stick to your teeth, causing cavities over time, which means your teeth will start to decay. Not only that, but it can also cause problems with your gums, such as receding gums and even loose teeth.

So how do you remove this plaque?

The best way to get rid of this annoying plaque is to brush your teeth and floss them regularly . Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night before bed, with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a special ingredient that strengthens teeth and prevents cavities. You should also floss at least once a day. Brushing and flossing this way will help keep your gums healthy.

Okay, so how exactly do you brush your teeth?

Try to spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth. Some people may think this is a bit long, and may think, "Why two minutes?" But it's definitely necessary to get your teeth and gums clean. Here are a few tips that you may find helpful:

• Brush your teeth slowly, using short, gentle strokes , in a circular motion. Don't scrub too hard! Doing so can damage your gums, make your teeth numb, and wear away your tooth's protective enamel.
• You need to brush all sides of your teeth. That means brushing the outside (cheek side), the inside (tongue side), and the top side where we chew food. Many people brush from top to bottom, which doesn't work.
• Brush your tongue gently, too . This is because bacteria can build up on your tongue, which can also cause bad breath.
• Set a timer for two minutes, or put on your favorite song (a long one!) and brush until it's finished. Some electric toothbrushes even have a timer that will alert you after two minutes.
• When you're done brushing, don't forget to spit out the toothpaste. When rinsing your mouth, don't use a lot of water and rinse your mouth repeatedly, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the fluoride in the toothpaste. It's enough to rinse your mouth with a little water.

What does 'flossing' mean? Is it even important?

Yes, many people skip flossing. They think it's "too much trouble." But flossing is very important to remove food particles and plaque from the places where a toothbrush can't reach, such as between teeth and close to the gums . You'd be surprised to learn that brushing alone only cleans 60% of your teeth! Flossing is essential to clean the rest. Here's how to floss simply:

• First, cut a piece of floss about 18 inches long (about from your elbow to your fingertips).
• Wrap it around your middle fingers. You can wrap it a little more on one hand and a little less on the other. Then use your index finger, middle finger, and thumb to squeeze it tightly, leaving about an inch of floss between your hands.
• Now slowly slide the floss down between two teeth. Move it back and forth as if you were riding a 'seesaw', don't press hard all at once.
• Wrap the floss around one side of the tooth in a 'C' shape and gently brush up and down. Clean just below the gum line. Do not push too hard into the gum. Be careful not to injure the gums when flossing.
• Do the same for the next tooth. Then wrap the used floss around the finger of your other hand, take a new piece of floss, and go between the next two teeth.
• Do this between every two teeth in your mouth. Don't forget the back of the last teeth.

At first, it may feel difficult to do this until you get used to it, and your gums may bleed a little. But after a while, it will become much easier for you, and as your gums become healthier, the bleeding will stop. You can ask your dentist for more information about this. He/she may also tell you about other devices that make flossing easier, such as 'flossers' , which are small-handled flossing devices, or 'interdental brushes'.

Besides brushing and flossing, what else can we do to keep our teeth healthy?

You probably already know that sugar is a major cause of tooth decay . But it's not just the amount of sugar you eat, but when and how you eat it can be just as important. Think about it, eating a piece of chocolate or a biscuit before bed (especially if you don't brush your teeth afterwards) is the biggest damage you can do to your teeth. Because the sugar stays on your teeth the whole time you're sleeping, giving bacteria a good party.

The most important thing is to reduce the amount of time sugar stays on your teeth . The reason for this is that the bacteria in plaque, which we talked about earlier, use this sugar to create an acid . This acid is what dissolves the enamel, the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth, and paves the way for cavities.

So when thinking about food and drink, keep these things in mind:

• It's best to brush your teeth immediately after eating. If that's not possible, at least rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash . Or chew sugarless gum for a few minutes. This will increase saliva flow, reduce acidity, and help remove food particles.
• Avoid eating sugary foods (e.g. toffee, biscuits, cakes) frequently during main meals. If you do, try to eat them with the main meal. This will increase saliva production, which can wash away some of the sugar and bacteria, and reduce acidity.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks like candy and sweetened beverages (soda, packaged juices). These are just 'empty calories' and are also very bad for your teeth.
• Choose nutritious, low-sugar snacks. For example, a piece of cheese, some popcorn, raw vegetables like cucumbers and carrots, and unsweetened yogurt.

So when should we see a dentist?

Many people only go to the dentist when they have a toothache. But that's like seeking treatment after the disease has already developed. To maintain healthy oral health, it is very important to have a regular dental checkup . For young children, it is usually a good idea to visit the dentist at least once every 6 months . For adults, once a year may be enough, but this will be determined by your dentist based on your oral health.

With regular checkups like this, you can identify tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems early and prevent them or treat them with simple treatments . Just think, if you catch a tooth decay early, a small filling can save the tooth. How much better is it than waiting until it gets bigger, goes to the root of the tooth, causes severe pain, and requires a tooth extraction?

Also, if you have a toothache, your teeth become numb when you drink cold water, your gums bleed, your gums are swollen and red, you have bad breath, your teeth are getting bigger, or you feel something unusual in your jaw, tell your family and see a dentist immediately . Don't ignore these symptoms.

So, with all this in mind, what are the most important things when taking care of your teeth?

So, to maintain your beautiful smile and healthy teeth for a lifetime, you must keep these things in mind:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Now you know how to brush properly.
• Floss at least once a day. Don't forget to clean between your teeth.
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks as much as possible. Avoid frequent sweets, especially between meals. Drink plenty of water.
• Visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth checked. This way, you can address any problems before they arise.
• If you notice something like a toothache or a change in your gums, don't panic and seek medical advice immediately without delay.

Remember, a healthy pair of teeth is not just a beautiful smile, it's a great investment in your overall health! So let's start following these simple, yet very valuable habits today, shall we? You can have a healthy, beautiful smile!

Dental health, brushing, flossing, tooth decay, gum disease, plaque, dentist