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Prof. Dr. Himadri Chakrabarty

Periodontist, Implantologist &
LASER Aided Dentist

MDS [Calcutta]
MSc [Univ of Genoa, Italy]
Clinical Internship in Oral Implantology
[State University of New York at Stony Brooks]

The best tips for healthy teeth

Keeping teeth healthy is undoubtedly a lifetime task, but there are great ways to achieve that. Take a step before a severe dental problem appears. It means using proper dental products, following good hygiene, and visiting your dentist regularly. Here are the best practices for healthy teeth. 

Brushing twice daily for healthy teeth and gums

By all means, brushing teeth is the first and most important advice one can get to keep the teeth in good health. Brush your teeth twice daily using a good brush and a small amount of toothpaste. Dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes in the morning and evening. However, don’t brush too hard or swallow the toothpaste or mouthwash. 

Use suitable toothbrushes

Without a doubt, a toothbrush is the most common and cheap oral hygiene tool. Getting a proper toothbrush is necessary for maintaining healthy teeth. These days there are two types of brushes available: manual and electric. Both options are great for sweeping away plaque and bacteria. Brushes with soft bristles suit all types of teeth. Therefore, don’t forget to replace the toothbrush every 3-4 months. 

Drink more water

Surprisingly, consuming more drinking water is a natural way to keep both body and teeth healthy. 

The benefits of drinking water:

Strengthening the teeth

Keeping the mouth clean

Fighting dry mouth

Keeping the gums healthy

Don’t forget about the dental floss 

Unfortunately, most people forget or don’t even know that flossing is essential for oral hygiene. A piece of dental floss helps remove plaque and food particles from the nooks between the teeth (where the toothbrush obviously cannot reach). Moreover, it is easily available and cheap. Using dental floss at least once a day is a big step towards healthy teeth. 

Mouthwash for healthy teeth and gums

Another great practice to look after your dental health is using mouthwash. It will not only freshen your breath but also rinse bacteria and plaque. Moreover, mouthwash repopulates the mouth with good bacteria and protects the gums. There are different types of mouthwash available these days. In short, they can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. If you want to have healthy teeth, certainly don’t forget to get mouthwash!

The advantages of mouthwash:

Protecting from cavities

Maintaining good oral hygiene

Giving fresh breath

Preventing plaque

Fighting bad bacteria

Protecting the gums

Removing food particles

Avoid sodas, sweet and acidic foods

Sugary foods are undoubtedly damaging to teeth. That is why dentists recommend avoiding or at least limiting the consumption of sweets. In short, sugar attracts harmful bacteria and reduces the pH inside the mouth. In the long run, it will lead to tooth decay. Moreover, sensitive teeth may hurt while consuming sugary or acidic foods, for example, oranges, pineapples, and lemons. Sour fruits are a natural source of vitamin C. Because they have a higher level of acidity, they can damage the enamel of your teeth. It is wise to avoid sugary foods to keep your teeth healthy. 

Limit smoking 

In the first place, smoking is bad for overall health as it is directly responsible for several diseases, e.g., lung cancer, brain strokes, pneumonia, asthma, hip fracture, and even blindness. Tobacco causes yellow stains, bad breath, tooth decay, and various gum infections as it interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. Due to this, chain smokers are more likely to lose their teeth. Without a reservation, quit smoking if you want to have healthy teeth. 

Have a regular dental check-up

It is necessary to visit the dentist regularly for oral exams and check-ups because it is easy to prevent or treat a dental problem in an early stage. Despite good oral hygiene, gum diseases or cavities may not be visible to people until they are painful. Visiting a dentist at least twice a year is a preventative measure to improve your dental and overall health.