Tag: Oral Health

7 Secrets to a Healthier Smile

A Smile is the first impression a person sees when they meet someone. Besides that, it also shows how friendly the person is and his/her confidence level. When you smile, your teeth get the maximum attention, so keeping them healthy is very important and great for your overall oral hygiene.

7 Secrets to a Healthier Smile

So, here are some tips for good oral health:

  1. Regular visits to a dentist – Though it is essential to visit a dentist twice a year, it is recommended that adults should see a dentist after every 90 days. It is because the bacteria that get cleaned out during a check up can re-colonized after 3 months. It might hurt your pocket, but it’s totally worth it.
  1. Delaying checkups until absolutely necessary – Most dental issues are usually asymptomatic with no pain in the initial phase, but in the later stages, the pain along with other symptoms increases rapidly. Dental issues like Cavities and gum disease are painless in the initial stages, but become painful over a short period of time. Therefore, it is advised not to wait until the last moment, but instead visit your dentist on a regular basis.
  1. Get whiter teeth through your diet – If you are a red wine or black tea drinker or smoke regularly, then don’t expect your teeth to be pearly white. Other culprits for pale teeth are colas, gravies and dark juices. The bottom line is that foods which are dark in color may stain your teeth and cause their color to fade. Brush immediately or eat an apple for a convenient tooth-cleaning action.
  1. Chuck your toothbrush – Replace your toothbrush after every 2-3 months. Choose a soft bristle toothbrush as it is recommended by most dentists. Maintain a habit of brushing twice a day, first when you get out of the bed and before you get into bed at night.
  1. Clean your tongue – We encounter so many people with bad breath on a daily basis and it’s very embarrassing. One major cause of bad breath is the build of bacteria on your tongue. So, to freshen your breath and to remove tongue plaque, use a tongue scraper every morning. It’s even more effective than brushing your tongue with a toothbrush.
  1. Gargle with apple cider vinegar – Do this every morning before brushing your teeth. It will help in removing stains from the teeth and kill the bacteria in your mouth and gums.
  1. Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week – Brushing your teeth with baking soda once every week will help remove stains and whiten your teeth. Use it just like you would use your toothpaste. One can also use salt as an alternative to toothpaste.
  1. Stay fresh – Other than regular brushing, use mouthwash to stay fresh any time of the day. You check the freshness of your breath by licking your palm an\d smelling it while it is still wet. If it doesn’t smell good, then it’s time to use the mouthwash! Make sure you choose an alcohol-free mouthwash since too much alcohol in your mouthwash can dry out the tissues in your mouth, making them more susceptible to the bacteria.

Don’t let your smile fade away. Keep these things in mind while taking care of your oral health.

 

A Guide To Common Dental Problems

A guide To common health problems

Teeth, with the role they play for every one of us, are significantly important. A bi-annual date with your dentist not only ensures you have a bright and healthy smile, but also help you stay on top of your general health too. Research shows that infection in the mouth can travel via the bloodstream to organs and the immune system. Poor oral hygiene and tooth decay have also been linked to a number of illnesses, including heart and respiratory diseases.

Keep them teeth clean and healthy by looking out for common dental health issues:

  1. Cavities – Indulging in too much sugar on a daily basis and neglecting oral health can lead to cavities. Not only this, overload on acidic foods or drinks might also contribute to dental erosion. Get your cavities filled because if left untreated, they can spread to other teeth, resulting in nerve pain and affecting your ability to eat.
  2. Bad Breath – Bad breath is caused by bacteria that linger in your mouth, producing volatile, foul-smelling sulfur compounds. The more bacteria you have in your mouth, the worse your breath would be. The three main culprits of bad breath are:

a) Postnasal drip (as a result of excessive mucus from your nose accumulating in the back of your throat)

b) Gum disease

c) An underlying gut problem, such as dysbiosis

To fix bad breath, it’s advisable to clean your tongue and floss daily along with brushing your teeth.

  1. Gum Disease – If you witness your gums to be red and swollen along with blood spots in your sink after you brush, then you might be suffering from periodontal or gum disease. If left untreated, it may even lead to tooth loss due to the destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Along with good oral practice, proactive prevention is the key to combat gum disease.
  2. Cold Sores and Cankers – Though these are minor problems and have a short shelf life, however, if you see a lesion changing size or shape and it persists for more than two to three weeks, then you should consult your dentist. In certain cases, these may also lead to oral cancer. So in addition to maintaining a good oral hygiene, ensure you are getting your teeth checked at your dentist on a regular basis.