Beautiful and healthy teeth require proper dental care. If you know how to do something good for your teeth, it is actually quite simple. We have put together ten dental care tips for you.
Why is dental care so important?
As studies have shown, proper oral hygiene is crucial not only for oral health, but for the health of the entire body. That’s because the harmful plaque bacteria and pro-inflammatory messengers that can result from inadequate dental care can cause more than just problems in the mouth, such as tooth decay or gingivitis. They can also reach other parts of the body via the bloodstream, where they can promote diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. This shows how important it is to pay enough attention to proper dental care. The following tips will show you how!
1. brush your teeth at least twice a day
In the morning and evening, you should brush your teeth thoroughly and persistently about half an hour after meals. But be careful: after eating acidic foods (for example, fruit juices or spinach), you should never brush your teeth directly, because the enamel is then particularly sensitive.
2. the correct brushing technique
So that brushing teeth also really protects effectively, it depends above all on the correct brushing technique. Because the wrong brushing technique or too intensive scrubbing can promote the breakdown of tooth enamel and irreparably damage the gums. When visiting the dentist, you can have the correct brushing method explained and shown to you. The so-called “red-white technique” is simple and effective, i.e. from the gum to the tooth, so that you do not “scrub away” your gums. Brushing your teeth should take at least three minutes – preferably always in the same order, so no spot is forgotten:
- You should always start your toothbrushing routine in the same place and then brush section by section.
- Clean the outer surfaces first, then the inner surfaces – two to three teeth at a time.
- Then follow the chewing surfaces, whereby the bristles of the toothbrush should be perpendicular.
- Do not forget the molars, including the surfaces behind the last tooth.
3. the right toothbrush
Here are a few tips for choosing the right toothbrush:
- Short-headed brushes also reach the back molars well.
- The brush should have three to four rows of bristles and lie well in the hand – this guarantees optimal guidance.
- Medium-hard, rounded bristles made of plastic prevent injuries to the gums.
- Do not use natural bristles, bacteria accumulate in them.
- At the latest after two to three months, you should buy a new brush. The old removes 30 percent less plaque and is full of bacteria. This is especially true after diseases in the oral cavity, such as a fungal infection like oral thrush or gingivitis.
Electric toothbrushes younger generation clean better than hand brushes. They are particularly suitable for children: The fast, automatic movements of the brush simplify brushing. And that with a brushing time of only two minutes.
4. the right toothpaste
Toothpaste freshens breath and significantly increases the cleaning effect of the brush, so you should never brush your teeth without toothpaste. Fluoridated toothpaste has been shown to reduce the formation of new cavities. Toothpaste residue should be spit out with a little water after brushing.
5. fluoride for dental care
Fluoride significantly improves the resistance of the tooth surface to caries, because it inhibits the metabolism of bacteria and makes teeth more resistant to acids. Important tips for proper fluoride care:
- The use of fluoridated iodized salt in cooking and baking prevents tooth decay and goiter.
- Infants can also be regularly supplied with fluoride tablets in consultation with the pediatrician.
- You should also use fluoridated rinses or gels for dental care at home.
6. dental floss and other helpers for dental care.
Especially in the interdental spaces easily accumulate bacteria. The hard-to-reach areas should be cleaned daily with dental floss or a tooth interdental brush (interdental brush). Both are available in the drugstore or pharmacy.Mouthwashes and mouth rinses are also practical aids that can be used to support dental care. However, they cannot replace tooth brushing. Tongue scrapers are often recommended for cleaning the tongue, but the back of the toothbrush can also be used – some models are specially equipped with rubber slats for this purpose. However, whether cleaning the tongue actually reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth is controversial. In a study, this effect could not be confirmed.
7. the right diet for the teeth
The following dietary tips will help protect your teeth:
- “Chewy” foods as snacks (apples, carrots, nuts, celery) stimulate saliva flow – saliva rinses and hardens teeth and neutralizes acids. Thorough chewing of hard foods also massages the gums and promotes their circulation.
- A diet rich in fiber (for example, fresh fruit, cereals, raw vegetables) also has a positive effect on dental health.
- Make sure to take enough calcium. The mineral strengthens the teeth.
- Vitamins are also important: vitamin A promotes the growth and renewal processes of the oral mucosa. Vitamin C strengthens the strength of the teeth, as it is needed for the collagen formation of the gums. Vitamin D is needed for the storage of calcium and phosphate in the bones and teeth, and therefore contributes to tooth growth and hardening.
- As a supplier of calcium, phosphate and the protein casein, cheese is a food that can strengthen tooth enamel.
- Beware of acidic foods, as acids can dissolve minerals from the tooth surface. For example, watch out for fruit juices, citrus fruits, vinegar or cola.
- Care should also be taken with cookies, fruit gums and other foods that like to stick to the teeth and thus provide food for bacteria.
8. reduce sugar
Research shows that we consume more sugar in a day than is good for us. Less sweet means less plaque bacteria. Be careful with children’s products: They’re often higher in sugar than you’d expect. Ready-to-eat products, fruit yogurt or ketchup also often contain an unexpectedly high amount of sugar. A good alternative to snacking are sugar-free snacks or sweets with sugar substitutes. You should also look for a low sugar content when choosing beverages: Soft drinks, sodas and many fruit juices are high in sugar. Drink better unsweetened tea, mineral water often juice spritzers.
9. chewing gum: brushing your teeth on the go.
If you are constantly on the road, you have little time to brush your teeth. Then it helps to chew a dental care gum after eating – the stimulated saliva production protects against caries and Co. However, it is important that the chewing gum is sugar-free. Chewing gums with xylitol are considered particularly effective.
10. precaution: at least twice a year to the dentist.
During the preventive/control examination, the oral cavity is thoroughly checked. The following is part of the treatment at the dentist:
- Consultation
- Early detection of caries and gum disease including treatment, for example, sealing of fissures at risk of caries.
- Removal of tartar
If you visit your dentist twice a year, you can usually prevent the development of diseases in the oral cavity well. The entry of all preventive examinations in the bonus book (available free of charge at the dentist) can also help to save costs, should there be problems. It can be worthwhile to have your teeth professionally cleaned once or twice a year – even if your health insurance does not always cover the costs. It is best to ask your dentist for advice. Important: If you experience toothache or changes in your gums, you should see your dentist as soon as possible and not wait until your next preventive care appointment.
