Healthy Teeth and Gums Can be Yours (Part Two)

Learning how to brush and floss your teeth properly are both important elements of having healthy teeth and gums.

Eating a nutritious well balanced diet is a good start towards having healthy teeth and gums but it is only the beginning. To maintain your oral health you need to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis. You also need to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. It is advisable that you see your dentist at least every six months.

Brushing Your Teeth

Would it surprise you to know that proper brushing takes a good two minutes to complete from start to finish? It does! That is 120 seconds. However the average person brushes for no more than five to six seconds at a time. That means that you may not be getting the job done as well as it is supposed to get done.

Always buy a soft bristle toothbrush and place it at a 45-degree angle to the tooth you are cleaning. Use a gentle massaging action that includes small circular strokes. First you should clean the outer surfaces of your top teeth and then the outer surfaces of your bottom teeth. Then clean the inner surfaces of the top and then the bottom. Then clean the parts of the teeth where you chew. To insure that your breath is as fresh as possible, brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth as well.

Do not brush too vigorously as you can wear down the enamel of teeth. Instead apply light pressure only. In particular, pay close attention to the teeth at the back that are hard-to-reach, as well as the gumline. Also carefully clean around fillings, crowns and other dental work you have had done.

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, morning and night. It is preferable that you brush after every meal.

Flossing Your Teeth

Flossing is something that does not get done nearly enough by so many people! No one really enjoys it but it is an important aspect of oral hygiene. Why is it so important you wonder? Flossing is important because it loosens food that has become trapped between teeth that can lead to plaque build-up and the development of cavities. Flossing once a day should be sufficient. The best time to do so is at the end of the day before bedtime.

It does not matter whether you buy waxed or unwaxed dental floss, scented or unscented, thick or thin. Try different kinds and decide upon the one that suits you the best. When you floss use approximately 18 inches of floss and wind the majority of it around the middle finger on one hand and the remainder of it around the middle finger on the other hand.  It is the second middle finger that will be taking the floss once it has been used. With care make sure you floss between each tooth but never be rough.

To learn more about maintaining healthy teeth and gums, please visit these websites:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/teeth/healthy.html
http://www.ada.org/public/topics/cleaning_faq.asp
http://www.perio.org/consumer/smileforlife.htm

Samantha

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Healthy Teeth and Gums Can be Yours (Part One)

Having healthy teeth and gums is an important aspect of overall good hygiene.

Who does not want to have a beautiful smile and a mouth that is glowing with health and wellness? What many people fail to realize is that oral health goes far beyond having a lovely smile and being able to properly chew your food. Having good oral health contributes to a better quality of life for you.

Reasons Why Oral Health is so Important

Here are a few of the reasons why oral health is so significant. First of all, every tooth has a reason and a purpose. Each tooth plays a role in proper alignment of all of your teeth and each one plays a role in terms of chewing and talking. Individuals who have loose or missing teeth may be limited in what they can eat because biting into certain foods may cause them pain and discomfort. Examples of this include a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not getting enough of these foods can lead to a poor diet and malnutrition. This is also the case for many people who wear dentures.

Most adults report that having a nice smile lends itself to a more appealing physical appearance overall. When looking at a person’s face the focus is often the smile. If the smile is pleasing to the eye then all the better!

Recent research studies have discovered that periodontal disease has been linked to many serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease and stroke. For those who are not aware of what periodontal disease is, it is a chronic bacterial infection that when left undetected destroys both the supporting structures of the teeth as well as the gums. Tooth decay and periodontal disease are the number one causes of tooth loss in older individuals.

Nutrition for Healthy Gums and Teeth

Diet plays an integral role in the health of your teeth and gums. Eating a well balanced diet of nutritious foods can help to reduce the potential that you will develop any number of problems in your mouth. Here we describe some essential nutrients for your oral health.

Vitamin C

One of the most important nutrients for healthy teeth and gums is vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to stimulate the immune system in order to fight bacteria. It also reduces inflammation and helps to heal the gums. According to the Institute of Medicine, everyone needs to consume approximately 60 mg of vitamin C a day which works out to be equal to one orange (or thereabouts).Besides oranges, the best sources of vitamin C include berries, melons, broccoli, and spinach.

Calcium

Calcium is an important mineral that helps to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Not getting enough calcium can serve to weaken the teeth as well as the bones that hold them in place. Taking in enough calcium especially in your developing years is very important as it helps to build density in the alveolar (jaw) bone. Consume more calcium by eating more dark leafy green vegetables and low fat dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that works in tandem with calcium to keep both the bones and the teeth as strong as possible. To make sure you are consuming a plentiful supply of magnesium eat such things as leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.

To learn more about how to have healthy teeth and gums continue on to part two of this post.

Samantha

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