By: Ana Margarita Olar| Vigorbuddy.com
Even if we take utmost care of our teeth, there are still bacteria that can destroy our teeth or cause infections. Here are some facts that our dentist wants to tell us when it comes to oral care:
THERE IS A THIN FILM CALLED PLAQUE ON YOUR TEETH EVEN WHEN IT FEELS CLEAN
This is a fact that every dentist wanted to tell you. This plaque contains bacteria that adhere to the front, back, side and between teeth. It is also found in the gums. Plaque builds up right after you eat your food. It is also the root cause of tooth decay and other dental diseases.
So it is important that you brush your teeth after every meal. And you don’t just brush it. The best way to remove plaque is to brush your teeth for two minutes after each meal and to floss at least once a day.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH IN THE MORNING
According to the dentist, plaque tends to accumulate on your teeth at night. Even when you didn’t have a heavy meal at night, plaque still adheres to your teeth.
This also means that bacteria grow in your mouth overnight, hence the morning breath.
PLAQUE CAN ONLY BE REMOVED BY BRUSHING AND FLOSSING
Even if you gargle with antiseptic mouthwash, it will not remove the plaque. When you forget to brush, the plaque will just stick on your teeth and attract more bacteria.
The plaque also accumulates on hard to reach areas. So aside from brushing, you also need to floss your teeth to ensure that plaque is removed.
SALIVA IS NOT YOUR ENEMY
This is another fact our dentist wants us to understand. Our saliva doesn’t destroy our teeth. Actually, it protects our mouth in various ways. One, it has antibacterial properties. Two, it helps repair and restore teeth. And three, it neutralizes acids that can destroy our teeth’s enamel.
So if you have a dry mouth, you are at risk for plaque formation and mouth infections. Make sure that you take utmost care if you have a dry mouth.
MOST OF US FLOSS THE WRONG WAY
If you are flossing by popping down the floss between your teeth, then you are doing it wrong. This can irritate and damage your gums. The correct way to floss is to wrap it around the tooth and move it up and down to remove plaque.
EVEN IF YOU HAVE A GREAT LOOKING TEETH, YOU STILL NEED A DENTIST
Each of us has our unique needs when it comes to oral health. We need to visit a dentist once or twice a year for cleaning and check-up.
Our oral health affects our health condition. So if you have concerns about your mouth and teeth, don’t hesitate to consult a dentist.