TIPS & TRICKS - Teeth
  

No Chance for Nicotine

Smokers all suffer the same problem when it comes to their teeth: yellow tooth discoloration. Having teeth bleached regularly by a dentist can become costly. A cheaper alternative with nearly the same results is to use salt. Brush your teeth once a week with salt and your teeth will become noticeably whiter. If you want the whitening without the salt taste, try specially formulated anti-stain toothpastes (recommended: Theramed). This will gently remove plaque and leave your teeth a gleaming white.
   

A Strong Bite

Healthy, strong teeth until old age…this doesn’t have to be just wishful thinking. In order to keep your strong bite with age, keep the following in mind:

1. Reduce foods in your diet that contain acid, such as cola or vinegar. These can corrode minerals in the enamel and make it soft. Therefore, avoid constantly sipping away at your soft drink and or eating fruit throughout the day.

2. Wait an hour before brushing your teeth after you eat foods containing acids, or else you risk rubbing away the dental enamel. Belching or vomiting also attacks the enamel.

3. Use a soft toothbrush. It’s not true that only a hard brush can remove impurities. You are only hurting your teeth and exerting too much pressure. A soft-bristled or electric toothbrush is much more effective. These cleanse teeth gently and effectively.

4. Select a toothpaste high in fluoride (we recommend: Theramed). This replenishes lost minerals and strengthens the enamel.


“Berry” good for your teeth!

Perhaps you have heard that cranberries are high in vitamin C and therefore good for your health. But did you know that they have antimicrobial properties that help fight bladder and urinary tract infections? Recent studies have shown that cranberry juice can also prevent cavities. Their juice prevents the pathogens from attaching to the surface of affected organs and, in the case of the bladder, causing urinary tract infections. Cavity-causing bacteria work according to the same principle: They also adhere to the dental enamel with the help of special proteins and cranberry juice can also hinder that attachment. Next to eating the berries, you can also drink the juice for these positive effects. However, avoid drinking juice with sugar additives; this will hinder the effects.
   

Strong Teeth through Diet

Diet plays a key role in maintaining strong, healthy teeth. Sugar and starch contained in many snacks and drinks support the spread of bacteria which destroys dental enamel. Reduce snacking and sugar-laden drinks. Every time that you consume sugary foods or beverages, your teeth are under attack from acids for at least twenty minutes.

Sweets should only be consumed only during mealtimes. It is better to enjoy an entire bar of chocolate all at once then to eat it over the course of an entire day. For those snacks between mealtimes, it is better to choose teeth-friendly foods like whole wheat bread, cheese, raw vegetables, yoghurt or fruit.
 

The ABCs of Dental Care for Kids

1. Even the first baby tooth should be carefully cleaned once a day.

2. Later, baby teeth should be brushed after breakfast and before bedtime.

3. Use toothbrushes specially made for kids – with a particularly small bristle head and thick handle.

4. Children with braces require a special toothbrush.

5. Little by little, kindergarten-age kids should be taught to brush teeth themselves – naturally with adult supervision.

6. The ideal brushing technique for kids: From red to white “in circles.” Fine motor skills at this age do not yet allow for movement from the wrist.

7. Use a children’s toothpaste with fluoride. Because children swallow relatively large amount of toothpaste, it makes sense that fluoride concentrations are different than for adults.

8. Ask your dentist if your child should take additional fluoride tablets.

9. After brushing, do not rinse wildly. Spitting it out is enough. This way, the fluoride can still be effective after brushing.

10. Consult your doctor about a prophylaxis plan for children over three years old.

The Basics of Oral Care for Adults

1. Brush at least twice, or even better, three times a day. It is better to brush thoroughly for at least three minutes than brush more frequently.

2. Use a toothpaste containing fluoride. Ask your dentist if an additional fluoride gel is needed.

3. The correct brushing technique: Holding your brush at 45-degree angle against the gums, brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, then the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

4. Don’t scrub! Excess pressure when brushing can damage teeth. The result: overly sensitive tooth necks and a receding gum line.

5. Wait a half an hour before consuming acidic drinks and foods! Neutralize acids with mineral water or by chewing gum.

6. Good toothbrushes have a rather small head and rounded synthetic bristles in a thick concentration.

7. High tech bristles (electric and sonic) can be very effective. Be sure to follow the directions for use and follow a consistent regime.

8. Replace your brush at lease every two months. This is also true for electric toothbrushes.

9. Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean the spaces in between teeth. Ask your dentist which products are right for you.

10. Visit your dentist regularly for a professional dental cleaning.
   
  FURTHER ARTICLES:
 
Nutrition
Body
Hair
Teeth
Face
   
top | back to overview | print | recommend
 
  • User login
  • Enter your username and password here in order to log in on womensnet: