If your brush’s bristles have “flattened out” during use, you should buy a new one. Bent bristles will not clean between your teeth, allowing plaque to build up over time. They can also scratch your gums, making them susceptible to bacteria buildup and infection. Flattened out bristles may indicate that you are pressing down too hard as you brush. Toothbrushes should be replaced routinely every three to four months. Brush at least twice a day, once before having breakfast in the morning and once after dinner at night, to avoid acid buildup due to breakdown of food by bacteria.
If you live in the United States, look for toothpastes marked ADA Accepted. These toothpastes have been evaluated by the American Dental Association, and they all contain fluoride.
Alternatively, you can use a mouthwash containing fluoride after brushing or wait a few hours and then use a regular mouthwash that doesn’t contain fluoride.
Brushing after a meal is a good idea, but refrain from brushing immediately after eating an acidic food, or drinking an acidic drink, such as coffee or fruit juice. [7] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMDBoard Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. Acidic foods temporarily weaken your teeth’s enamel, allowing your toothbrush to remove it during brushing. In time this will cause your teeth to become sensitive.
The back and forth movement is used only to loosen any food particles left on your teeth, while the vertical brushing helps your gums stay attached to your teeth.
Avoid rinsing more than once after brushing, as the best results are obtained from a single rinse. While swallowing fluoride toothpaste in very large quantities can be hazardous to adults, swallowing a little now and then poses no risk to your health.
Make sure to throw away all used floss. Recycling the same length of floss can re-introduce bacteria to your teeth which you have previously cleaned off.
You can use lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide solution, or white vinegar instead of water to make the baking soda paste. These liquids will enhance the cleaning and whitening power of the paste, but can also be unpleasant to taste. Use them with care and stop if there is any type of teeth sensitivity
At-home tooth bleaching kits are also available. These kits use a bleaching agent such as carbamide peroxide to change the natural color of your teeth, making them whiter while removing food-related stains. These kits can be a hassle to use, adding time to your everyday oral health routine, but they are the strongest over-the-counter product available for whitening teeth and reducing stains.
Strongly-colored sauces, such as pasta or curry sauce, as well as brightly colored fruits such as many berries, are examples of foods which can lead to stained teeth if consumed too frequently. Dark, acidic drinks such as coffee, tea, wine, fruit juice, or sports drinks can all cause tooth stains over time. Because they are liquids, they can seep into the spaces between teeth and cause even more staining than solid foods.
Brushing immediately following a meal is a good idea, but don’t brush right away after eating an acidic food, or drinking an acidic drink, such as coffee or fruit juice. Acidic foods temporarily weaken your teeth’s enamel and your toothbrush may remove it during brushing.
Eating celery, an apple, pear or carrot after a meal will trigger the production of saliva in your mouth, helping to naturally wash away potentially staining food from your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum is another good option.
When gargling mouthwash, make sure to swish it all around your mouth, over your teeth and into both cheeks. Then tilt your head back, and briefly gargle the mouthwash in the back of your mouth before spitting out. Some mouthwashes contain a high percentage of alcohol. If alcohol irritates your mouth, you should instead opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash.
For an adult in normal health, drinking eight 8-oz. cups (1. 9 liters) of water per day is recommended. Eating an apple or raw celery, chewing on sugar-free gum, or sucking on sugar-free candy will stimulate the salivary glands and encourage a cleaner, more moistened mouth.
Ask your dentist or doctor for ideas and suggestions on quitting smoking.
