Healthy Diet For Teeth And Gums

A healthy diet gives you a healthy body and a sound mind. Intake of nutritious food is of utmost importance to maintain the normal health of your teeth and gums. Like the rest of our body, our oral system also requires a healthy dose of minerals and vitamins to function normally. Children especially need to take the right foods to ensure proper tooth development.

All dentists stress on the need of a healthy diet to maintain good oral health. For this, your daily foods should contain;

• Calcium – This is the single most important mineral for your teeth. Calcium in combination with phosphorous and vitamin D forms the backbone of your teeth and bones. Foodstuffs rich in calcium include yoghurt, milk, cheese and eggnog.
• Phosphorous – This is another important mineral that is present in egg, beef, chicken and turkey.
• Vitamin A – This is required for the development of healthy tooth enamel. Most vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, spinach, broccoli, sweet potato and fruits like mango are rich in this vitamin.
• Vitamin C – All citrus fruits, strawberries and tomatoes will give you a healthy dose of vitamin C which is required for healthy gums.
• Vitamin D – Include fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon and trout in your diet to get this vitamin.
• Fluoride – This mineral in the right amounts is highly beneficial in preventing dental caries and tooth decay, especially in the growing years. In adults, it plays an important role in restoring tooth enamel by remineralisation.

In addition to these, food stuffs that are good for your oral health include celery which stimulates the production of saliva thereby neutralizing the oral bacteria. Consumption of green tea is also beneficial in getting rid of cavity causing bacteria. The best way to protect against starchy foods is to drink plenty of water, brush your teeth twice a day and floss, which will limit the impact of starch and plaque. Try to avoid food that is unnecessarily sugary such as soft drinks and opt for sucrose substitutes in your diet and drinks

Good oral hygiene for overall health

Prevention is always better than cure and it is advisable to be educated on dental health by your dentist through regular dental checkups and treatments.

Dental care can sometimes be the forgotten part of a healthy lifestyle, and while its importance is often underestimated, the need for regular dental care cannot be overstated. Our teeth can last us a lifetime with the proper preventative dental care.

Preventive Dentistry aims to reduce the required dental restorations throughout your lifetime. This process allows you to keep your beautiful, vibrant smile whilst still maintaining the healthy structure of your teeth and gums and also saving a large amount on future dentistry bills which can prove expensive when intensive remedies become necessary.

Poor oral and dental health can result in serious infections of the mouth, the teeth, and the entire body. Preventive care minimises your risk of developing tooth decay and periodontal disease (gum disease).

Poor oral health has been linked to heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, low-birth weight, and premature births. Often, diseases give their first warning signs in the form of oral problems.

There are four basic steps to maintain good oral health:
• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss everyday
• Limit the number of times you snack
• Visit the dentist regularly

To prevent poor oral health, visit your family dentist and always ensure that your children are seen to by their dentist from a young age.

There are a number of options available for overall dental treatment, if required but always remember the importance of looking after your teeth by general everyday brushing, flossing and eating healthy!

BrushingTechniques For Healthy Teeth

Did you know wrong brushing techniques lead to tooth decay? Tooth decay in children is mainly due to improper brushing techniques which are then carried over to adult hood. Introducing your child to a pedodontist is always a good idea and children can be encouraged to learn proper brushing techniques to save their teeth. Do you know proper brushing two times a day will help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease?Wondering how you can improve your brushing techniques? Proper dental care starts with selecting a good tooth brush. Start the process by selecting a soft-bristle brush to remove plaque and food particles. This is very important as this is where the tooth decaying bacteria thrive. There are many varieties of brushes available in the market. Try to replace your brush every two to three months. The tooth paste you use also matters a lot in your dental care. Depending on the condition of your teeth there are many kinds of tooth pastes available in the market. There are tooth paste for cavities, gingivitis, tartar, stained teeth and sensitivity.

When you brush there are some brushing techniques you should follow about brushing.

• Use half-tooth-wide strokes of brush to clean the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth against the gum line.
• Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth for the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• You can use gentle up-and-down stokes by tilting the brush vertically for inside surfaces of front teeth.
• Some brushing techniques are there to brush your tongue as well. Use a back-to-front sweeping motion to brush your tongue.

If you think that brushing and flossing alone is enough to keep your teeth and mouth clean and healthy, think again. If you think that you can manage to have a clean and healthy mouth without the help of a dentist, then what are dentists here for?Dentists play a big part in managing the personal dental care of individuals. Dentists check your teeth and mouth for signs of cavities and gum disease.They will also help you maintain extra clean teeth and they will also teach you the proper ways of brushing and flossing.Regular brushing and flossing along with regular dental checkups are all that is required to prevent dental problems. So don’t wait any longer. Go fix an appointment with your dentist now.