How To Prevent Tooth Decay

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Tuesday, 18 March 2008 11:14

Cosmetic - Teeth

How To Prevent Tooth Decay

The main way to prevent tooth decay is protect your gums. Keeping your mouth clean from bacteria is important so that gingivitis doesn't develop.

Using dental floss twice a day is perhaps the best technique for preventing receding gums. Floss in front of a mirror so that you can see, to get the floss down the sides of each tooth. Glide the floss along the front, back, and sides of every tooth until it squeaks, even if there's not a tooth next to it, and even if the gums are tender and bleed. Within a few days of flossing daily, you will notice that your gums no longer bleed.

Brush with soft bristle toothbrushes as hard bristles can encourage receding gums. When you brush, brush your gums as well as your teeth.

Rinse with an anti bacterial mouthwash after brushing, especially just before bedtime. In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Listerine mouthwash was proven to be effective in inhibiting the development of plaque and in reducing gingivitis.

See your dentist every 6 - 12 months for check-ups.

Scrape your tongue to remove the bacteria and toxins hiding there. It doesn't matter what you use to scrape with, as long as it isn't sharp. You can use a demitasse spoon, Popsicle stick, a tongue depressor, poker chip or your toothbrush. Scrape from back to front 10 to 15 times.

Hard and fibrous foods clean and stimulate teeth and gums. Eat a raw vegetable a day. It will keep gingivitis away.

Benefits Of Fluoride

Researchers have found fluoride ceases to be as effective with older people. This is because the elderly have more difficulty generating the large amounts of saliva necessary to combine with fluoride to resist the demineralization of teeth. So the older you are the more likely you are to have gums receding and sensitivity problems because of what you eat.

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