Replace your toothbrush when it gets worn out. After about three months the bristles get permanently bent and they don’t clean as well — in fact they get also sharpened and will hurt your gums making bleeding easier. A new toothbrush will keep your teeth clean and sparkling. If you use an electric toothbrush the head should also be replaced every three months. Children should start brushing as soon as they get their baby teeth. Baby teeth are also vulnerable to cavities and the brushing will teach them how to take care of their teeth for when they get their permanent teeth. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source You can also bring a toothbrush to work or school and give your teeth a quick brush after lunch. This will prevent bits of food from sticking in your teeth and giving you bad breath. But don’t brush immediately after eating. Wait a half hour first. The food in your mouth produces acid which softens your enamel making the enamel vulnerable to being worn away. [6] X Research source
Children’s toothpaste doesn’t always contain enough fluoride to be effective in preventing tooth decay. It needs to have at least 1,000 ppm of fluoride. Put a small blob of toothpaste on the brush and then brush it over all surfaces of your teeth. Spit it out afterwards instead of swallowing it.
It is best to floss before you brush. The floss will then scrape the sides of your teeth clean, making it easier for the fluoride to get in and strengthen the enamel there. Use about 18 inches (46 cm) of floss. Wrap it around one finger on each hand, and then gently slide it between your teeth. Curve the floss around one of the teeth and move the floss up and down along the tooth. Don’t press too hard when you go below the gum line. It shouldn’t hurt; however, you can expect a slight bleeding which is absolutely normal. This also relieves the micro inflammation created in the papilla Some people find floss to be awkward. If this is the case for you, try using an interdental cleaner. This is a small brush, pick, or stick that lets you get between your teeth without dealing with long strings of floss. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Dental Association World’s largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health Go to source
Dissolve about a half a teaspoon of table salt into a cup of water. The salt will dissolve faster if the water is slightly warm and you stir vigorously. Check the ingredients on commercially prepared mouthwashes. Some have antibacterial properties or fluoride in them. The flavors can be strong, so choose one you can tolerate. Even if you use mouthwash, you still need to brush. You can also put mouthwash in a water pick and use that to more thoroughly clean between your teeth.
Scrape lightly from back to front along your tongue, being careful not to gag yourself. Rinse your mouth out when you are done. Don’t swallow the bacteria that you have scraped off of your tongue.
Hotlines, counseling services, and support groups Medical assistance such as medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and residential treatments
Desserts like candy, pastries, ice cream, cakes, chocolate or sticky sweets Sugary breakfast cereals Sugary tea, coffee, and sodas
One drink per day for women and one to two for men. A drink is a beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of hard alcohol.
Apples Broccoli Carrots Celery Peppers Lettuce Cucumbers
Raisins, prunes, dried mangos, dried pineapple, and other dried fruits, especially if they are coated in sugar. Taffy, gummy bears, and gooey candy bars Granola bars
You can purchase sugar-free gum at your local grocery store, convenience store, or pharmacy. If you don’t have sugar-free gum, don’t chew sugary gum instead. It will coat your teeth with sugar and raise your risk of getting cavities.
Pain or swelling in your jaw Loose permanent teeth Gums that hurt, bleed, or are swollen when you brush or floss Gums that are pulling away from your teeth Teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold foods Constant bad breath Pain or discomfort when you bite
Show you the best way to brush and floss Scrape away the hard plaques that form in places that are hard to thoroughly clean Examine your gums for gum disease Look for cavities
Fluoride varnish can be given every half year. During this treatment, fluoride is put on the teeth to strengthen the enamel. A fissure sealant is applied about once per decade. It is a thin composite covering that creates a smooth and slippery surface which protects the crevices of your teeth from bacteria and food that could get trapped there.
Calling or searching the websites of the US Health Resources and Services Administration, your county or state health department, or community health center. These places may be able to point you towards local clinics that charge on a sliding-scale based on income. Check with dental hygiene and dentistry schools near you to see if they offer low-cost treatments or free clinic days as a way of drawing patients to give their students experience. It should always be supervised by dentist or hygienist. Look online at the American Dental Association or the American Dental Hygienists Association.
