It may come as a shock to some, but your teeth aren’t just fancy bones. Healthy teeth are the cornerstone of a person’s good health, and for good reason. Not only are you unable to eat without them, but they are also essential to being able to speak properly. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and dental problems – unfortunately – are very common. Here are some tips to protect your teeth and maintain their beauty.
1 . Eat pineapple
Pineapple is one of the very few foods that contain bromelain, which is excellent at protecting the enamel layer and dissolving pigmentation on the teeth. It also helps relieve pain and swelling of the gums thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
2 . Add milk to coffee or tea
To keep your teeth bright, you should pay close attention primarily to what you put in your mouth. Enamel pigmentation is caused by the chemical properties of foods and drinks. Acidic foods cause pigmentation because they damage the enamel layer. Food and drinks that contain high levels of tannin, such as coffee or tea, cause pigmentation because they alter the acidity levels inside the mouth.
You can neutralize the acidity level in your mouth by eating neutral, calcium-rich foods after eating acidic foods. You can add milk to a coffee or tea drink to reduce the acidity of the drink, and add more cheese to meals that contain tomato sauce. Casein protein, which is found in milk, is useful in reducing tooth discoloration
3 . Not for teeth whitening
Contrary to what the aestheticians might try to convince you, your teeth are not supposed to be white. Normally, teeth tend to turn ivory over time. Not all teeth are the same colour. In any case, the main purpose of their presence in the mouth is not only aesthetic.
Teeth whitening weakens the enamel layer. And when the enamel wears off, it doesn’t come back again. So, it is best to avoid charcoal toothpastes and teeth whitening, as they accelerate the erosion of your teeth. Instead, use a fluoride-rich toothpaste. Fluoride is one of the most important components affecting oral health and hygiene, and over the past 30 years, it has contributed to reducing the number of dental problems we have, and to the prevention of tooth decay.
4 . Maintain saliva flow
Saliva helps protect your teeth by washing them frequently, cleaning them of harmful bacteria, and strengthening the enamel layer with calcium and phosphorus. If your mouth stops producing enough saliva, teeth will dry out, acidity levels will change inside the mouth, and enamel-damaging bacteria will run wild. So, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day, and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production in your mouth.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications, such as antidepressants, that reduce the efficiency of the salivary glands. If you are taking medication, it is best to always carry a bottle of water with you anywhere.
5 . Use a straw when drinking
As it turns out, it’s not just what you drink that affects your teeth, but how you drink too. How you drink also affects your oral health. Taking long sips and keeping the drink inside your mouth contributes to the accumulation of pigmentation and erosion of the enamel layer, as it exposes the teeth to the sugars and acids present in the drink. In this way, sugary drinks in cans are the worst in terms of the quality of the drink and the way it is drunk.
On the other hand, you can use a straw (provided that it is placed correctly without touching the teeth) to drink, as it is a healthier and safer way, and helps prevent pigmentation and tooth decay.
6 . Brushing teeth before bed
It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day, but if you can only brush once, do it before bed. At bedtime, do not swallow anything, and the secretion of saliva that washes your teeth decreases, so plaque accumulates on the teeth and leads to pigmentation and problems. Dry mouth may also increase the risk of tooth decay.
Side note: many people who brush their teeth regularly don’t do it long enough. Dentists recommend brushing for two minutes, removing any excess toothpaste from the mouth. And if you want to rinse your teeth, you can do so at any time other than when you brush them, otherwise you will get rid of the fluoride of the toothpaste you just applied, and your teeth will become unprotected.
7 . Don’t forget to use dental floss
Flossing helps remove the delicate biofilm between your teeth and promote healthy gums. Dental floss removes food debris and plaque from places where a toothbrush can’t reach. About 40% of plaque is concentrated between the teeth! Pay special attention to the mills area. Not only do you pass the dental floss between the teeth, but you need to reach it below the gum line to ensure that any plaque is removed.
8 . Do not apply excessive pressure while brushing your teeth
Pay attention to the pressure of your hand while brushing, you don’t need to apply too much pressure on the brush or you will hurt your gums and your teeth will become very sensitive. An electric toothbrush may be useful in calculating timing and pressure sensitivity. You can also use a soft toothbrush. As for excessive brushing, it is when you use a toothbrush more than necessary, and its harm is more than its benefits as well.
9 . Use a dental night guard to treat bruxism
Bruxism or bruxism is a serious problem. If you suffer from bruxism, use a nighttime dental guard. Bruxism can lead to serious problems with the ligaments of the jaw joint that are difficult to treat, or your teeth may break. If things get worse, you may need to replace them with artificial prostheses. But when you use a dental night guard, you’re biting into a layer of silicone instead of your teeth. You can also talk to a therapist if your bruxism is caused by stress, anxiety, or other psychological issues.
10. Tongue scraping
The tongue is a storehouse of bacteria, and if you don’t pay attention to it, it can lead to bad breath and other more serious problems. A healthy tongue is all pink, with no red, white, or yellow portions. White spots are nothing to worry about, they are just a mixture of dead cells with leftover food, and can be easily removed with a brush or thread.
Use a brush or get a tongue scraper and start cleaning at the back of the tongue. And don’t forget about the edges and sides. Then rinse your tongue and the utensil used as well to remove any stuck bacteria.
How do you take care of your teeth?