6 Everyday Habits Your Teeth Will Thank You for Adopting

• 2023-02-24

Not everyone realizes how big of a part your mouth plays in maintaining your overall health, as it's capable of notifying you about possible issues. That's because the mouth is connected to the respiratory and digestive tract, meaning that many germs can enter your mouth and be transferred to the rest of your body. That's why it's essential to keep your mouth clean throughout the day and pay attention to the little things too.

1. Don’t brush too hard.

Every person's gums should be pink and firm if they are in 100% healthy condition. However, some people experience swollen gums that often bleed or, even worse, start receding. If your gums are receding, you will be able to notice it since your teeth will appear to be longer than usual.

One main reason for this may be that you are brushing too hard and with a hard-bristled toothbrush. The recommendation from dentists is for people to brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush in circular movements. They shouldn't apply too much pressure to protect their teeth from wear.

2. Remember to brush your tongue.

Skipping on brushing your tongue can mean that all the bacteria that gather on it will have the opportunity to multiply. In this case, you might start experiencing bad breath, an inability to taste foods, gum disease, and even yeast infections. That's why starting a tongue scraper is vital since it's much more convenient for your tongue than a regular toothbrush.

If you do use a toothbrush, you need to rinse your mouth with warm water first. Start from the back of the tongue and be very gentle, ensuring not to touch your gums or teeth. After you've finished, you must rinse again to eliminate any loose bacteria.

3. Use mouthwash and pass on smelly foods.

Eating foods like garlic, onions, and spices nearly daily can be responsible for continuous bad breath. But the most common reason for the problem is poor dental hygiene, with food remnants staying in your mouth. These remnants will rot inside your mouth and create an unpleasant odour. Also, many bacteria stay on the tongue and produce smelly sulfur compounds.

This is where mouthwash comes into play: it helps eliminate bacteria and offers a sense of fresh breath. If the mouthwash contains fluoride, it can help with periodontal disease and even reduce cavities.

4. Use the right products if your teeth are sensitive.

If drinking cold water and eating hot soup is torture, you might need to visit a dentist. That's because sensitivity appears when the tooth enamel has worn down, exposing your teeth' roots. The dentist will be able to tell you which toothpastes are best for sensitivity so that you won't use anything that makes things even worse. Also, they might apply fluoride to the most sensitive areas to strengthen the enamel and relieve the pain.

What you can do at home is use a soft-bristled toothbrush and follow your oral hygiene routine down to the last detail. You might also want to avoid acidic food that can wear down your tooth enamel.

5. Get your teeth cleaned yearly.

Another problem poor dental hygiene can create is the discolouration of your teeth. If you don't brush them as often as needed, bacteria, acid, and plaque build up more quickly and find a home in your mouth. It's the plaque and tartar that create that yellow coating on the outside of your teeth, making them unpleasant to look at.

So, apart from brushing your teeth twice daily, you must also visit your dentist yearly for a check-up and cleaning. During this process, the dentist can remove tartar and plaque from those hard-to-reach areas. They will also floss your teeth with their special tools and polish them. This last step will make your teeth shiny and eliminate that yellowish hue.

6. Visit your dentist if you notice anything unusual.

Sometimes, people notice painful sores at the corners of their mouths. While you might think it's the cold weather causing them, it's due to bacterial infections. This might be due to certain nutritional deficiencies, excess saliva, or a lip-picking habit.

First, you should visit your doctor and ask for solutions that will treat the issue and offer you relief. You might also need to run some blood tests to see if you have any deficiencies that could be causing the issue.

There are three possible reasons for the unpleasant metallic taste you might be experiencing, one of them being a medication you might be taking. Antihistamines, antibiotics, and heart medications can often cause this metallic taste in your mouth. Also, it might be a direct symptom of gum disease, which will require a visit to the dentist and a complete change of your dental hygiene routine.

The third reason is the possibility of having a zinc deficiency, which is more possible if you are vegan or vegetarian. Legumes, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, and milk products can help. But if you don't want to consume these things, you might need to ask your doctor about zinc supplements.