How often throughout the day do you stop and think about your teeth? We all know that brushing your teeth at least twice a day is imperative to keep them pearly white and healthy, but do we even bother to find out more? How to keep your teeth healthy? What is the connection between your teeth and your overall health? These are some thought-provoking questions, and the answers may come as a surprise. Here is what you can do to ensure that both your teeth and your body are the picture of good health.
The way things were before
Sweet, delicious, minty toothpaste was invented about a hundred years ago. How did people clean their teeth before that? Not so long ago, getting older meant having to deal with a mouth full of rotten teeth. This caused excruciating pain, and toothache was cured by having your teeth removed. Before toothpaste, people used charcoal mixed with some lemon juice, ash from the fire, tobacco mixed with honey, or they would simply grind chalk. It is interesting that people still like to experiment with these old teeth-brushing mixtures, and today there are people who whiten their teeth using activated charcoal and lemon juice.
How do healthy teeth look like?
Pearly white teeth are a sign of health, right? Well, not quite. The strongest and healthiest teeth are never paper-white, but in fact a bit darker, even yellow. Teeth that are slightly gray or yellow are naturally healthy and strong, but if they are darker, this might be the sign of heavy smoking. Whitening your teeth may leave you with a brighter smile, but it will also leave you with permanently weaker teeth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and if you worry about your teeth being darker because of coffee or certain food, brush them after every meal. Even if they are not as white as the teeth of people in toothpaste commercials, they will be strong for a long time.
Braces are not just for looks
You might think that braces are worn by kids and teenagers for purely aesthetic reasons. This is not entirely true, however, since dentists usually recommend wearing braces to improve a variety of patient’s problems. Things like crowded or crooked teeth which are not symmetric, prominent under-bites and overbites, and even serious issues such as incorrect jaw positions or jaw joints disorders can be corrected by wearing braces, state dentists from Orthoworx clinic. While some of these problems are not serious, others are, and if they are not treated, they can lead to even bigger complications such as gum disease, migraines and earaches, biting and chewing problems.
More dangerous than it looks
Any changes in your gums can indicate that there might be some infection. While plaque build-up can be taken care of, if a person is particularly susceptible to bacteria that causes the infection, body can overreact to it. As a result, there can be too much inflammation which may take a long time to wears off (and sometimes it doesn’t wear off properly). When a person suffers from intense gum inflammation, their blood can be affected as well. Over a period of time, blood vessels in the body can be damaged.
Keep your teeth healthy
We already mentioned that brushing your teeth twice a day is mandatory because it breaks down plaque that leads to gum disease. It might be tempting to quickly brush your front teeth alone, but the teeth in the back of your jaw are equally important. If your gums are sensitive, talk to your dentist about the best way to clean your teeth without damaging the gums. Take your time; brush your teeth for at least two or three minutes, perhaps while playing your favourite song. Change your toothbrush every three months and always use the ones with soft bristles because these are gentle on your gums and your tongue.
Flossing is important
One of the most important things for the health of your teeth is flossing. While some people are not particularly keen on flossing because the feeling is strange at first, dentists state that flossing is a great way to clean the difficult areas between the teeth which a brush can’t reach. Dental floss should be slipped between each tooth and along the gum-line at least once a day. Do it gently because gums are delicate and sensitive, and harsh flossing can hurt them.
Dental hygiene is important, but it’s not just about a toothbrush and toothpaste. Your gums, tongue, and the inside of your mouth are as relevant for your health as your teeth, and if you are thorough and meticulous when it comes to dental hygiene, you will stay healthy for a very long time. Take care of your teeth, and in turn, they will take good care of you.
Leave a Reply