Taking care of your teeth is not something that you think about too often, if you're like most people. There is a lot more to dental care than merely brushing your teeth twice a day. Here are some great tips to help you keep your smile bright and looking good.
If you are worried about getting work done on your teeth, speak to the dentist prior to your appointment. This will give him or her a heads up on how you are feeling, and they can figure out how to best reassure you. Try to be specific about exactly what it is that you don't like about the process.
Certain habits can keep you from having pearly white teeth. If you drink red wine, coffee, dark tea, dark juices or colas, don't be surprised if you have stained teeth. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if a liquid is dark, it will probably darken your teeth. One way to minimize staining of your teeth is to brush them immediately after drinking these dark beverages. If you are at a location where it is not feasible for you to immediately brush, eating an apple can help you clean your teeth until you best cosmetic dentist can brush them properly.
To keep your teeth looking their best and free of decay, visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can professionally clean away build-up of plaque that can harm the enamel of your teeth. He can also perform an oral exam that can detect and problems with your teeth or gums before they become a serious threat to your dental health.
When you want to start flossing, don't worry about the length of the floss you pull out. Twenty inches should be about right to get the job done. Just secure the floss around the two middle fingers of each hand. When you do this, there will be about an inch of floss you can use for cleaning each tooth.
If you have gum inflammation or you are susceptible to it, it is important that you avoid hot foods and drinks. These foods and beverages only cause gum inflammation and irritate problems you already have. If this is a problem for you, stick to either cool or warm foods and beverages.
If you suffer from bad breath, there may be an underlying medical condition. To ensure that your bad breath is not from an underlying medical condition visit your dentist and primary care physician. If after finding you have no underlying medical conditions you still have bad breath, consider using a mouthwash after brushing and using breath mints or chewing gum in between brushing your teeth.
Home whitening kits are a great short-term fix for lightly stained teeth. However, many people report burning and increased sensitivity caused by the gel uses in the kits. If oral sensitivity is turning you off of home whitening, use a fluoride gel immediately before and after you apply the whitening product. Your teeth will be noticeably less sensitive.
Do not forget to invest in a new toothbrush often. A toothbrush needs to be changed every few months. Even if your toothbrush looks new, bristles might be damaged. The older the toothbrush, the less effective that it will be in doing its job. You must make sure that you regularly replace your toothbrush.
Talk to your dentist about what kind of toothpaste you should use. Your dentist has a knowledge base to know what is good and what is just fancy packaging. Not only that, but your dentist can consider your particular teeth and choose one that works best for you and your lifestyle.
Do not avoid dental care just because you do not have insurance. There are many types of dental plans available. To find one that works for you, look online or ask your regular doctor for some advice. Dentist offices are also usually able to help you find a dental savings program that works for you.
Know that some people are more prone to tarter build up than others, and not addressing this issue can be costly to your teeth. If you've learned you have a problem with tarter, invest in a specialty toothpaste and follow it up with detailed flossing and an anti-tarter mouth wash. The effort will pay off.
Do you use your teeth as an opener of sorts? You should stop! Rather than risking damage to your teeth, keep small scissors nearby. You don't know where that bottle, plastic or piece of thread has been, so you don't want it in your mouth!
Be sure to get any chips or cracks in your teeth as soon as possible. When you have a cracked or chipped tooth, you are giving germs and bacteria a great place to hide. Obviously, when you have these problems fixed, bacteria and germs have nowhere to go. Fluoride mouthwash can also help.
Do you tend to grind your teeth? Do your best to get rid of this habit. Avoid eating hard foods, chew some gum and relax as much as you can. If you grind your teeth at night, it is best to wear a mouth guard until this bad habit goes away.
Never go to a dentist just because they have a flashy commercial. Gimmicks like that are why bad dentists often make a great deal of money. Do your research so you know that the one you choose is worth the money. Online reviews are a great way to decide whether a new dentist is worth a visit.
The two stages of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Early signs of gum disease include dental sensitivity, bad breath and red, swollen or bleeding gums. Gingivitis is fairly easy to treat. However, periodontitis is much more severe. These infected areas of the mouth lead to the breakdown of bone tissue and tooth loss.
Make sure to replace your http://www.dentalplans.com/ toothbrush on a regular basis. Usually a toothbrush should be replaced after three months. But you should replace it sooner if it becoming worn, falling apart or the bristles are bent out of shape. Some toothbrushes even come with color indicators that fade over time and let you know when it is time to be replaced.
Another key to effective dental care revolves around the proper storage of the toothbrush itself. This may seem like a small thing, but making sure the brush is thoroughly rinsed after use and stored upright so it can air dry is essential in order to stave off the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.
Like the article said at the beginning, a lot of parents take their kids to the dentist twice a year while never going themselves, or going less often. The problems that can happen in your mouth during the adult years often involve gum disease. The solutions to those problems are often painful and costly if you don't go to your biannual appointments.
