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Do you remember the story that is passed down from generation to generation-- that George Washington, the first President of the United States had wooden dentures? Whether this tale is true or not, President Washington could have most likely avoided his fate of wearing dentures had he followed the practice of simple dental hygiene. Your natural teeth were designed by nature to last you a lifetime. And, with the proper dental care, your teeth can remain healthy and strong, and your smile will be a great way to show off your pearly whites!
Basic care for your teeth includes daily brushing, as we all know. Your teeth should be brushed, whenever possible, after each meal. This brushing helps to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth, gums, and mouth. There are also chewing gums on the market today which claim to help clean your teeth whenever brushing is not possible.
Another aid in keeping your teeth free from decay-causing food particles is dental floss. Flossing properly not only cleans and removes the food particles which become lodged in between your teeth, but it also removes plaque build-up. Flossing should be done at least once a day. Make sure to floss between each and every tooth well.
There are mouth washes on the market today which claim to kill odor-causing germs and bacteria which are present in your mouth. While these washes can actually help you to maintain your dental hygiene, you might choose to use a stannous fluoride rinse as well. This type of rinse is designed to help keep your natural teeth strong as well as help to keep your gums healthy and free from such diseases such as Gingivitis.
Cleaning, flossing, and using mouth wash or a good dental rinse are important parts of an effective daily hygiene routine which will undoubtedly help to keep your natural teeth clean, strong, and healthy. But, they are only a a part of the overall care for your teeth. Another important part of the care of your teeth is to take precautions against injuries to your mouth and natural teeth. That is, be sure to wear a properly-fitted mouth guard is you play any type of contact sports. Use caution when performing physically-active work as well as playing to help avoid getting hit in the mouth. Hits can produce chipped, cracked, loose, or even knocked-out teeth.
Another important part of your overall dental care is to visit your dentist regularly. He or she can outline a yearly routine dental plan for you to follow. The plan will include scheduled tooth cleanings, examinations, periodic x-rays, and any maintenance dental work such as fillings, caps, crowns, and the like, that may be needed in order to repair your teeth.
Lastly, did your mother or father ever tell you to drink your milk for your teeth's sake? It's not a fairy tale, it's the truth. Your teeth, as well asa the other bones in your body, need a daily dose of calcium and Vitamins A and D. These really do help to fortify your teeth and keep them strong and healthy! Be sure to drink plenty of milk as well as eat plenty of dairy products.
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