The teeth whitening blog

There are some things that we can use for years together, and some that get worn out in months. A toothbrush is one such item that I buy in a pack of dozen as it has to be replaced every now and then.

When do you know that a toothbrush needs changing?

If you are brushing twice each day and after meals too, a soft-bristled toothbrush will last for three months approximately. The bristles become rough and you don’t feel that you have squeaky clean teeth even after brushing. This is the right time to switch to a new toothbrush.

What did I say? Stop munching?

I don’t mean to say that you stop eating altogether for the sake of healthy teeth. I want to say that snacking in between meals is as harmful for your teeth as it is for your metabolism. So make sure you brush well after you eat anything.

Moreover, the longer it takes for you to finish a meal you are increasing your chances of tooth decay. Sweet foods start affecting the teeth in about fifteen minutes and it takes almost half an hour for salty foods to begin harming your teeth.

Any tips from your side?

I have many cousins who brush twice daily and still suffer from cavities. I am sure there are many more like them amongst us who wonder what is wrong with them.

The problem is not with how many times you brush but it is important to know HOW you brush. Most of us move the brush side ways for the front teeth as well as inner teeth. But this is not the right way!

Brushing should be from top to bottom, even for inside teeth. This will properly clean our teeth and keep them healthy longer.

Try this and let me know!

Dental treatments are mostly expensive and we have to make sure that the costs fit in our insurance. Predetermination of dental treatment is advisable if the costs are going to be more than $300 for the entire course.

Why is that?

The estimated expenses that you are supposed to incur can help you to determine beforehand about many things. Firstly, you can find out the insurance amount that you will receive so that you know how much you have to pay from your pocket.

Discuss this with your dentist and then decide upon the further course of action. It helps, trust me!

Teenagers are often seen sporting a set of braces that are used for straightening the teeth. The effect after removing braces is really good. What if you find tooth decay on removal of braces?

One solution for preventing this from happening is by regular brushing. I don’t mean the ‘twice daily’ brushing routine. Along with that, the person wearing braces must brush gently after EVERY meal or snack. This will remove all the food debris and lend a fresh breath too.

Since there is a great chance of food-lodging in people using braces, utmost care in important for well-aligned, healthy teeth.

This might seem like something away from our topic of teeth health in the first instance. I will tell you why it is relevant.

What do we usually carry when we are visiting somebody who has kids? The answer is ‘sweets or candies!”. Children don’t know the concept of self-control, which is natural. When you gift sweets they are going to gobble them up instantly. If the teeth are not cleaned or brushed properly thereafter, the kid will invariably suffer from tooth decay. Got the point?

So carry a pack of cornflakes or a pencil set the next time you are meeting a kid, what say?

Kids’ teeth are prone to caries and decay. The prime reason for this as many of us think is not just sweets and candies, but a faulty oral health regime.

Of course, I agree that sweets can stick to the teeth and cause tooth decay. All this can be avoided if the child is taught to rinse his mouth well and brush too, if possible. Thus the teeth are cleaned and there is hardly any chance of the sweet particles remaining in the mouth.

Don’t be a dictator to your kids! Let them enjoy eating a sweet once in a while.

We seldom think about which toothpaste to buy. For me, the brand can vary (I buy one that has some discount or free gifts!) for each month. But is that the right thing to do? One dentist friend told me that toothpastes having fluoride are good for your teeth. They can clean better and are available easily at your neighborhood grocery or drug stores. I felt a little relieved after hearing this. That is because most of the toothpastes contain fluoride and I can choose any brand that suits me well. So have you already decided which toothpaste to buy?