Okay, I could go on and on about painful bone grafts to replace eroded tooth support, gum grafts to recover dangerously receding gums or the daily lengths to which some people must go in an attempt to prolong the inevitable loss of their teeth. (My mother, being one of those cursed with bad genes and insufficient disease prevention, never misses the opportunity to remind me how she wishes she had always flossed!). But I'll resist the lengthy horror stories and cut to the chase: simply take care of your teeth and odds are, you'll get to keep them.
Yes, the luck of the genetic-draw does play a role in our oral health, but even if you've been dealt a lousy hand of teeth (err, so to speak), you don't have to fold. Here are some basic, yet critical steps that you can take to hang-on to your pearly whites:
Brush
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a critical start to good hygiene…da! Acids in the foods and drinks we consume help to create a yummy environment for bacteria, which attacks the tooth surface (enamel). Over time, this enamel decay gives way to small pits that we call cavities. These cavities grow, eventually exposing the inner dentin, and the vulnerable "pulp" of the tooth. Bottom line: the tooth may bite the dust. Brushing keeps the nasty bacteria at bay and lets the happy enamel do its job to protect the tooth.
Use a soft, rounded-bristle toothbrush with a head small enough to reach your back teeth.
Use non-abrasive, fluoride toothpaste.
Move brush in a circular motion, covering all tooth surfaces and the critical area between teeth and gums. And don't rush!
Consider keeping a toothbrush at work or school for use after coffee breaks, lunch or mid-day snacks.
Beware, my research revealed that some over-the-counter (OTC) whitening toothpastes are harsh on tooth enamel. And according to some dentists, the best those OTC whiteners can do is absolutely nothing. All indications are that if white teeth are what you're looking for, the dentist's in-office or take-home treatments may be your best bet.
Floss
While most of us can handle routine brushing, it's the flossing that hangs us up. Brushing alone only reaches a fraction of tooth surfaces, but that woefully underused dental floss can bravely go where skanky bacteria lurks (between teeth and along the gumline) to rescue your smile from the ugly fate of false teeth.
Use waxed or not, flavored or plain, whichever you prefer. But if your floss has a tendency to shred, try my favorite brand… Glide!
Grab yourself about 18 inches of floss, wrap it around your index or middle fingers, ease it between your teeth, and using a gentle, upward motion scrape the sides of each tooth from below the gumline.
Bleeding is evidence of collected bacteria. But fear not, for unless you have advanced problems, this minor bleeding will completely disappear as your flossing routine becomes more regular.
Flossing need not hurt! Although the first several experiences may leave your gums feeling a little tender, this should subside. If it doesn't, alert you dentist. However, you may just need to modify your technique. If you need a little hellp with this flossing thing, check out Learn2.com for a step by step, lesson on the finer points of the crucial floss.
Rinse
While mouthwash doesn't do much for dental health, fluoride rinses may be a good idea. Some dentists highly recommend OTC fluoride treatments to fortify teeth against adult cavities. And if you get the minty variety, it doubles as a mouthwash too!
Visit a Dentist
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that people visit a dentist every six months for a check up and cleaning. Need help finding a dentist to call your own? The ADA has a handy web page dedicated to helping people do just that. Check it out. It's a good start!
