My Atlanta dentist educated me on a few aspects of oral hygiene that I hadn't thought about before. The first was that while brushing your teeth and flossing are central to good teeth care, they aren't the only areas that need to be taken care of. The tongue should also be cleaned regularly.
Because of the tongue's rough surface, it can house plaque-causing bacteria. These bacteria then attack the teeth and gums and build plaque. And plaque, as we all know, helps cause tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, these tongue-coating bacteria can produce halitosis or bad breath--not something any of us want.
The way to get rid of the bacteria is simple: brush your tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush a couple of times each week. You can also use a tongue scraper, commonly found on the backs of toothbrushes, but either method works equally well. The key is to clean the tongue regularly.
His second piece of advice was to practice good nutrition, as it is a crucial element of good oral health that is commonly overlooked. No matter your age, it is extremely important to maintain a balanced diet. Fish, poultry, and other lean meats, along with beans, contain protein, iron, magnesium, and zinc--all of which contribute to strong teeth and bones and overall oral health.
Dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D, also good for your teeth and bones. Grains have vitamin B and iron; these foster good growth and healthy blood, which allows for healthy gum tissue. Fruits and vegetables have a variety of vitamins, notably vitamin C, that also improve oral health.
His third lesson was directed to natural teeth whitening. There are a variety of methods to naturally whiten your teeth. Strawberries contain whitening agents, and the seeds help remove buildup. Rubbing a strawberry directly against your teeth or mashing it up and applying it like toothpaste can be effective, although it is important to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste immediately afterward to remove the sugar and acids.
Baking soda is another natural whitener and is a common ingredient in toothpaste. Putting it on your teeth for ten minutes can help whiten them. Oddly enough, wood ash, which contains potassium hydroxide, will also bleach your teeth. However, because it scrubs your teeth somewhat harshly, it should not be used very frequently, as you don't want to wear down your enamel. In fact, that was my dentist's main point.
Teeth naturally have a yellowish tint because good enamel has calcium. Overzealous brushing or the consumption of acidic materials will eat away at the surface. And unfortunately, tooth enamel damage is permanent.
Author Resource:
Dentistry at East Piedmont (http://www.dentistryateastpiedmont.com/) The clinic to look for the best Atlanta Dentist . Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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