10 Surprising Facts About Dental Health & 10 Ways To Keep Your Teeth Clean
Keep Those Pearly Whites Healthy
From having a beautiful smile to helping you chew your food thoroughly, our teeth are important body parts we want to keep in the best shape. And while we all try to brush our teeth to the best of our abilities, there's much more to dental health than using a toothbrush daily. To get a better understanding, here are 10 surprising facts to learn and 10 ways to make sure your teeth stay nice and clean.
1. You Can't Regrow Enamel
If you didn't already know, enamel is the outer protective layer of our teeth that is crucial in helping us eat smoothly. While you don't think about its function on a day-to-day basis, it's not something you should overlook. After all, once destroyed, you can't regrow it naturally.
2. Cavities Can Be Contagious
While you shouldn't think of cavities like "cooties" or catching the flu, it can spread from person to person if you come in contact with their saliva. Because it's all about bacteria when it comes to cavities, and if you kiss someone or share drinks, there's a chance that bacteria will find its way to you.
3. Not Everyone Gets Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth might seem like a nice thing to have, but in reality, they're just annoying additions that lead to a painful and uncomfortable extraction. But if you're lucky, you might grow to have none, just a few, or sadly be left with the worst case scenario: all four molars.
4. Brushing Doesn't Fully Clean Your Teeth
While yes, brushing is the most important step to take when cleaning your teeth, it isn't the only step. Even with proper brushing, you won't be able to reach all the areas inside your mouth, meaning you can never get a satisfying full clean. To do so, you need to add additional steps like flossing if you really care about your dental health.
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5. Bad Breath Comes From Within
We often worry about eating smelly foods like garlic or tuna that'll give us bad breath, but did you know it's not what you consume that you should only be worried about. Having bad breath can actually come from within; it stems from bacteria within our mouth that results from poor dental hygiene or even certain medical conditions.
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6. Gum Can Fight Cavities
Sugarless gum in particular is surprisingly known to help combat cavities. While it won't be the tastiest chew, these products can help increase saliva production which can reduce plaque and strengthen enamel. Who knew something so mindless could have so many benefits?
7. Enamel Is The Strongest Part Of The Human Body
While our teeth make up very little of our entire body, enamel is actually considered the strongest substance we have. Yes, it's even stronger than our bones! Which means we have to do our part to keep it healthy and strong - it plays a crucial part in our daily lives.
8. Do Not Use Toothbrush Covers
Despite the logic, toothbrush covers actually do the opposite of protecting your toothbrush from harm - it promotes it. Not only does it slow down the bristle's ability to dry, it creates a damp environment which might cause even more bacteria to thrive.
9. Bad Dental Health Can Lead To Worse Problems
You might treat poor dental health as a singular issue in your body, but you really shouldn't. As it turns out, having unhealthy teeth can lead to a plethora of issues! Studies are being done to explore the connection between inflammation or infection in the gums and clogged arteries, poor heart health, and much more. Things in your body are much more connected than you might think!
10. Alcohol Worsens Dental Health
It's definitely recommended that you cut back on alcohol for a number of reasons, but one that might surprise you is for your teeth. Because alcoholic drinks dry out your mouth, it can promote bacteria growth and lead to cavities. But it's not just that - alcohol worsens your immune system as a whole, making your body less prepared to fight diseases and infections even in the mouth.
1. Brush Twice Daily
Make sure you brush your teeth twice every day, once in the morning when you wake up and once at night before you go to sleep. It's not just about keeping your teeth healthy and clean, it's a matter of good hygiene. No one wants to catch a whiff of your terrible morning breath at work!
2. Use Toothpaste With Fluoride
Fluoride is a crucial ingredient found in toothpaste that helps protect your enamel and can prevent early signs of tooth decay. If you want better protection, it's absolutely essential! Because it's not just how you brush your teeth, what you use is just as important.
3. Floss Every Day
There's a reason why your dentist always shakes his head disappointingly when you tell them you don't floss daily - it's because it's dangerous for your teeth! Flossing is what helps you get into the nooks and crannies of your teeth that your toothbrush simply can't reach. You'll be shocked by how much gunk you can pull out!
4. Use Mouthwash
If you have sensitive teeth and tend to be more prone to cavities, mouthwash will become your best friend. To get even more fluoride and enamel protection, using mouthwash can be a simple yet effective solution. Add it to your routine or ask your dentist for recommendations.
5. Brush Your Tongue
Don't forget it's not just your teeth you have to brush, your tongue is also in need of some scrubbing! Bacteria can sneakily build up there, causing bad breath, plaque buildup, and other various problems that you would have never guessed stemmed from not brushing your tongue.
6. Brush For At Least 2 Minutes
Brushing your teeth is not a quick task that you want to get over with quickly, it takes careful, attentive cleaning if you really want to maintain your dental health. At the very least, you should be brushing for at least 2 minutes each time, making sure you reach into every surface your toothbrush can possibly touch.
7. Maintain Your Dental Care Tools
Pay attention to the health of your dental care tools too! From your toothbrush to your Water Pik, everything you put into your mouth should be in good condition. If you don't use good tools, your teeth simply aren't going to be cleaned properly.
8. Visit The Dentist Regularly
Though it can be expensive and uncomfortable, put your fear of the dentist aside for the sake of your teeth's health. Regular check-ups are incredibly crucial because only professionals can catch early signs of decay or cavities. The last thing you want is to deal with tooth pain when it could've easily been avoided.
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9. Be Careful Of Sugary Foods
Sadly for all you sweet tooths out there, sugary foods are every dentist's nightmare. Why? These foods have bacteria and acids that can break down your tooth enamel, leading to a high risk of cavities. So if you do enjoy a sugary treat, make sure you rinse your mouth afterwards and brush extra carefully!
10. Drink Water
We know you're tired of being told to always drink water, but it's one of the best things you can do for your health. And as it turns out, it doesn't just keep you hydrated, it helps keep your teeth healthy too. Drinking water can help wash away any stuck particles in or on your teeth, also aiding in decreasing bacteria build up.
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