About 3.5 billion people have oral health problems, and many don’t deal with them, often due to high dental costs and lack of insurance coverage. But there are ways to keep teeth healthy before issues occur.
Here are some dental health tips and facts to help you care for your teeth:
- Breakfast Brushing and Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity, shown by pain with hot or cold foods, can be due to thin enamel. Brushing right after eating can make it worse. Brush before meals to avoid discomfort. - Over-Brushing and Receding Gums
Enamel can be damaged by over-brushing. Worn enamel can lead to gum recession, exposing roots and possibly needing treatments like root canals or extractions. 10% to 20% of people worldwide damage gums this way. - Diet and Dental Health
Changing your diet can boost overall health, including dental health. A study found diet changes can reverse tooth decay. Cut sugary foods, increase calcium with dairy, and drink unsweetened beverages. - Kaolin Clay for Teeth Whitening
Applying kaolin clay gently can whiten teeth. Don’t scrub hard and rinse well. - Vitamins and Supplements
Besides cutting sweets, adding vitamins and supplements can help with saliva production to fight plaque. Whole grains offer iron, B vitamins, and magnesium for calcium absorption. Seafood provides vitamin D for strong teeth. - Choose Low-Abrasive Toothpaste
Toothpaste should clean well but not be too abrasive. Test by applying on foil and checking for scratches. More scratches mean higher abrasiveness. - Sugar-Free Gum Benefits
Surprisingly, chewing sugar-free gum can prevent cavities. It stimulates saliva to wash away food, neutralize acids, and strengthen enamel. - Toothbrush Grip
Hold your toothbrush like a pen with three fingers for better pressure control. Gripping too tight can over-brush and damage gums and enamel. It’s the bristles, not pressure, that clean teeth.