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Change or improve your oral hygiene habits in 2015 and rock an even more beautiful and healthy smile
1 JAN2015
Ten tips to help you start the year with a beautiful smile
A new year, a new life. Whenever a new year comes, people tend to leave behind bad habits and promise to start new rituals to improve their lives, such as starting a different diet, getting a radical haircut, joining a gym, and so on. For those of you who want to maintain or improve the quality of your smile in 2015, here are 10 tips that will keep it beautiful and healthy every month of the year.
1. Know how to choose your brush well
The toothbrushes most recommended by dentists are those with soft bristles and small heads. “These are the best for reaching hard-to-reach areas,” says William Frossard, a dentist specializing in cosmetics and a doctor in periodontics. It’s worth remembering that there’s no point in having the right toothbrush if you don’t use it, right? So don’t forget to brush your teeth after meals and at bedtime.
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2. And don't forget to change them every 3 months.
Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or when the bristles become deformed. This is because after this period of normal use, brushes are much less efficient at removing plaque from teeth and gums compared to new brushes. “The bristles become deformed and lose their efficiency in cleaning all those nooks and crannies around the teeth,” says the expert.
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3. Mouthwash: choose the right one
Although most of the time they are only an aid to oral hygiene, improper use of mouthwashes can cause problems for the mouth. When used too frequently, substances present in some types of these products can unnecessarily kill part of the bacterial flora that is important in balancing the pH of saliva and stain the tissues of the mouth, also yellowing the teeth.
“Therefore, the best ones are those that contain fluoride in their composition and water as a diluent (without alcohol). The frequency of use may vary according to the patient's needs, and should follow professional guidance”, says William.
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4. Avoid coffee, it stains your teeth
Unfortunately, this world-famous drink is not a great friend to those who want to have white teeth in 2015. Tannins, a substance found in coffee, have the power to stain teeth. And the more cups you drink per day, the worse the yellowing of your teeth can become.
5. Apples and pears leave your mouth cleaner
Don't worry, eating too much of them won't replace brushing your teeth, of course not. But some foods with more fiber, such as apples, oranges, pears or carrots, have the ability to promote self-cleaning in the mouth. "This is because these foods take longer to chew and their fibers rub against the teeth, removing some residue," says William.
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6. Your visits to the dentist should be personalized
They should be customized according to the patient's needs. "For example, patients susceptible to cavities, periodontal disease or both should see the dentist every 3 months. Patients who are under control can have an annual check-up. And for most, it is important to have a check-up every 6 months to avoid possible surprises and have a professional cleaning. Prevention is the cheapest treatment and will always be considered the most modern because it allows for the preservation of tooth structure," says the specialist.
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7. Never go to bed without brushing your teeth
Brushing your teeth before bed is undoubtedly the most important, as it is at night that salivation decreases and therefore its "self-cleaning" and remineralizing capacity is also impaired, facilitating the accumulation and growth of bacteria in the oral environment.
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8. No more nail biting and biting objects
If you have a habit of biting your nails or chewing on objects (like pen caps) while studying or working, stop doing it now. These habits, in addition to being unsightly, can crook your teeth or even chip them.
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9. Quit smoking now
The many toxic substances contained in cigarettes are bad for your health in general. That's why we could list many reasons for you to quit this habit right now. But since the focus here is on oral health, we'll just say that it can cause periodontal disease, bad breath, stains on the teeth, tongue and mucous membranes, and mouth cancer. Is that good enough or do you want more?
10. Use a toothbrush and floss, the perfect combination
Dental floss has the ability to remove debris that remains between the teeth. The toothbrush, on the other hand, removes dirt from the outside due to friction with the tooth surface. “Note that the two complement each other, the toothbrush cleans the “outside” of the teeth and the floss cleans between them,” says William.
Finally, it's always a good idea to use tongue scrapers to remove any and all food residue and bacteria from your oral cavity, keeping your mouth clean, your smile beautiful and your breath fresh to rock 2015.
