Oral health is as vital as any other health segment, be it related to your skin, hair, etc. Young adults often face embarrassment in their social communities because of poor oral health. Nonetheless, there is always a solution for every problem. With these oral care tips, you will walk tall amongst your peers and friends and face the world confidently.
Know the “toothbrush” mystery
Often people think it’s the toothpaste or mouth cleaner that is significant in maintaining oral health. However, this toothbrush mystery will demolish the hearsay. Do you brush with the same toothbrush for 6 months on the trot? Your laziness in the bathroom will cost you your dearly pearly whites. Most dentists suggest replacing toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3 months when it begins to show signs of weariness. Failing to do so, you would only cause harm by transferring bacteria back to your teeth. The way you grip your toothbrush is also vital. It is recommended to place your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees and smoothly move it across your teeth in a circular motion. Take care of your teeth while brushing. Harshly brushing your teeth in back-and-forth motion will damage your valuable enamel.
Beware of dark foods
Everything from dark juices, colas, and gravies to addictions like cigarette smoking to drinking strong drinks such as black coffee and red wine could raise eyebrows when linking them to oral health. The staining of teeth usually takes place when the person is continually feeding on such “dark diets”. You are advised to use a potent bleaching agent for your teeth and of course, brush immediately after eating foods that could potentially stain your teeth. Additionally, eating an apple is suggested by the experts for easy teeth cleaning purpose.
Banish tongue plaque
The building up of bacteria on your tongue during the entire day is often listed as one of the top villains of oral health. A tongue scraper is what you need to have a fresh breath and ensure optimum oral health. Some people use their toothbrush to scrape off tongue plaque. Though it is helpful, what a tongue scraper can do, nothing else could. Harold Katz, DDS, from Beverly Hills has confirmed that a tongue scraper is more effective compared to a toothbrush.
Use apple cider vinegar for gargling
Apple cider vinegar has endless health benefits for the human body. For healthier and whiter teeth, it is customarily advised to gargle with apple cider vinegar before brushing in the morning. Besides killing the harmful bacteria in your gums and mouth, it aids to fight stains and thrush and whitens your teeth. However, make sure that you brush immediately because apple cider vinegar has acidic components which need to be rinsed away instantaneously after use.
End your meal with “detergent” foods
Detergent foods are those which help to clean teeth while they are eaten. These are usually hard, crisp and are also known as nature’s toothbrush. With a view to obtain the finest results, it is recommended to have detergent foods at the very end your meal if you’re aware that there won’t be any opportunity or you won’t be able to brush after eating. Other than apple, as mentioned previously, detergent foods also include popcorn, celery, and raw carrots.
Keep updated about your mouth’s freshness
If you’re going for a mouthwash, make sure that you select an alcohol free one. Over-the-counter mouthwashes are infamous for containing ‘more than necessary’ alcohol content. Such mouthwashes which are high on alcohol could make the tissues in your mouth extremely dry, further making them susceptible to bacteria. So, instead of protecting your mouth’s freshness, they work in the opposite way. You can also use a sugar-free mint to clear your breath. A quick tip to keep a check your oral freshness is to lick your palm and smell the licked area while it’s still wet. If you smell something funny, it’s a sign that your breath needs a clearing.
Whiten your teeth with baking soda
Red wine, coffee, soda, and other such beverages could build up some serious stains on your teeth which are usually hard to deal with. Baking soda, however, has evidently come to the rescue of many people with stained teeth until now. Besides supplying you a brighter smile, baking soda does the great job of extricating plaque from your teeth. It is also reputed as a cheaper combination of teeth whitener and cleaner compared to other resources. Having mentioned these benefits, it should be noted that its excessive usage could make your gums raw. In which case, you can replace it with salt. Yes, you can use salt just as any toothpaste.
Follow the “first and last” rule
Meaning, you should brush your teeth first up in the morning and last before you get in your bed at night. The reason for this is that it’s actually the saliva that helps in protecting your teeth from cavity causing plaque. Now, while you’re sleeping at night, the saliva dries up and your teeth is exposed to this perilous type of plaque. Therefore, it is very essential to brush your teeth before going to bed at night and actually complete the saliva’s job of warding off the plaque beforehand.
Floss whenever possible…
…,but not in front of your boss. Keep your floss products accessible i.e. at your desk, in your car, or in your drawer. Flossing is one of the best practices to maintain your oral health. Possibly, practice to floss without looking in the mirror so that you could floss anywhere and at any time whenever needed.