If it now seems essential to take good care of your teeth and your mouth, it can sometimes seem difficult to know what to do really. Good habits are to be adopted on a daily basis in order to prevent gum disease, but also the appearance of cavities. The Colombes Valmy dental center gives you some advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene and therefore healthy teeth.
Should I choose a manual or electric toothbrush?
The ranges of toothbrushes are now very wide and developed. Nevertheless, electric toothbrushes are real treasures of technology today and we gladly recommend them to everyone for several reasons.
Electric toothbrushes remove plaque faster than a manual toothbrush. They are also often more respectful of the teeth themselves since sensors allow the movement to be interrupted if the pressure is too strong on the gums, in order to protect them as much as possible. In addition, it is much more practical to access the different places of the mouth with an electric toothbrush, for a more complete brushing.
However, if you decide to keep a manual toothbrush, opt for a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles and don’t forget to change it every 3 months or so.
In any case, do not hesitate to seek advice from your Colombes Valmy dentist, who will be able to guide and inform you.
Adopt the right gestures
It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, morning and evening, for at least two to three minutes each time.
Nevertheless, it is essential to have the best gesture then, to both protect the gums and clean all the teeth, without forgetting any dental surface. To do this, it is recommended to clean the upper teeth first, then the lower ones. The gesture must be flexible but precise, always starting from the gums, towards the teeth. Do not forget to clean the tongue each time and rinse your mouth well for a really complete brushing.
What products to use?
It should be remembered that the most important thing in brushing is not the toothpaste itself, but the gesture of the toothbrush which will gently take off the dental plaque. Thus, there is no need to focus too much on the “miracle” virtues of so-called “whitening” or “fresh breath” toothpastes, and others…
Nevertheless, although it won’t be groundbreaking, it’s important to choose a toothpaste that’s right for you.
You can choose it fluorinated, respecting the age of the children when this is the case of course. Fluoride helps protect and strengthen tooth enamel. The dosage varies according to the age of the users and their fluoride needs.
Looking at the composition of toothpastes, you will see that some contain chlorhexidine: this is what will fight against periodontal disease and protect your gums from aggression and irritation.
Others will be more suitable for teeth sensitive to hot or cold and will better protect the teeth and gums from aggression.
Mouthwashes: a good complement to brushing
Be careful, mouthwashes are not substitutes for brushing your teeth, but they are very good supplements to adopt daily at the end of brushing, in order to keep a healthy mouth.
There are two kinds of mouthwashes. The first are intended for daily use at the end of brushing, and allow you to complete the oral routine and at the same time give fresh breath. Other mouthwashes are more medical in nature and will relieve and act on canker sores, small mouth sores and other irritations. These are easily found in pharmacies, or with a prescription from the dentist.
Sugar, the number one enemy of teeth
It’s no secret that sugar is anything but your ally, whether for your body or your teeth. Consuming sugar promotes cariogenic bacteria and can gradually attack the enamel of your teeth. This is why it is strongly recommended to have a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and to avoid sugar consumption as much as possible, especially between meals.
Snacking, as well as a diet rich in refined sugars will gradually promote the development of tartar and dental plaque, since the bacteria will feed on the food remains on the teeth and gums. If, however, small snacks are impossible to remove from your daily life, remember to brush your teeth after each snack during the day.
Bad habits to fight
With age, teeth naturally tend to yellow. The same is true with poor hygiene. Each Colombes Valmy dentist will give you all the necessary personalized recommendations. Nevertheless, some recommendations are universal if you want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
First, a large consumption of tea, coffee, or overly spicy meals can damage your teeth and irritate your gums.
This is also the case with cigarettes. The risks of developing gum disease, or of aggravating an existing disease, are much higher among smokers. In addition, tobacco stains the teeth, and the yellowing gets worse over time.
Make annual visits to the dentist
In order to maintain healthy teeth, and to prevent minor – or major – mouth sores, it is absolutely necessary to make regular visits to the dentist. From an early age, an annual visit is highly recommended. Indeed, there is only a regular follow-up which allows not only to cure cavities, but also to make prevention. This is the case for periodontal diseases in particular, which, noticed early, can be largely contained and cured quickly.
In addition, it is essential to come to the dentist for an annual scaling to eliminate tartar and thus maintain both healthy teeth and a bright smile.
In any case, your Colombes Valmy dental center will be able to provide you with information and provide you with personalized advice, as well as quality dental care throughout your life.
