02 October 2010
Maintaining dental health
MOST of the time in our bid to stay physically and mentally fit, we often push our dental health on the back burner. It’s important to maintain dental health as it can give rise to dental problems that can be painful and their treatment costs could burn a hole in your pocket. Also, it can affect your personality, so don't take your smile for granted because when you look good, you feel good. Here are some tips to maintaining proper dental health:
Brushing the teeth properly is as important as brushing them twice a day. Brush the insides and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Avoid brushing vigorously as it can damage the gums. Use a softbristled toothbrush. Clean your tongue with a tonguecleaner or the back of your brush. This helps to clean out the undesirable coating on the tongue, accumulated since the previous night.
Change to a new toothbrush every three to four months. Also, change the toothbrush when it starts to fray.
Rinse your mouth well after every meal, especially after eating sweets. That’s because sugar is a major cause of tooth decay.
Use a mouthwash preferably after every meal. This helps prevent plaque-formation and bad breath. Dental flossing helps to remove food particles stuck in the tight gaps between the teeth, around the gum line.
Avoid snacking between meals as this makes the teeth prone to decay.
Avoid fizzy cold drinks as they contain phosphoric and citric acid that damage the teeth badly.
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