Do you want to improve your dental health? Then you've come to the right place! Beautiful, healthy teeth are attractive and, in our society, stand for vitality, authenticity, intelligence and strength, among other things. However, over the course of a lifetime, a lack of oral hygiene or poor eating habits, for example, can damage the appearance of teeth.
Fortunately, with just a few simple measures you can prevent the formation of plaque and keep bacteria out of your oral flora, which can otherwise lead to tooth decay or, via the bloodstream, to overall physical illness.
In this article, we would like to give you some valuable tips on how to optimally support the self-healing process of your teeth and keep them healthy for as long as possible. Let's go!
10 tips: What can I do for healthy teeth?
There are several hundred million bacteria in your mouth. Is your Oral flora out of balanceIn addition to tooth decay, bleeding gums or periodontitis are common consequences.
Regular dental and oral care is therefore the best strategy for preventing diseases. But This involves more than just brushing your teeth!
Here I have put together the best tips for ideal long-term dental health in a nutshell!
Good to know: Around the sustainable dental care there is a separate blog article here at CareElite. Have another look there too!
Tip #1: Choose the right toothbrush
Your toothbrush is your most important ally in the fight against tooth decay and the like! However, there are major differences between the manual and electric models available on the market that you should be aware of. For example, the Size of the brush head, the Hardness level or also the Arrangement of the bristles a significant role.
We all brush our teeth differently - and our teeth also have different sensitivities and textures. It is therefore important to find the right toothbrush that suits you personally.
With a small brush head, for example, you can reach hard-to-reach areas more easily. And dentists usually recommend Plastic bristles or Multituft bristlesas they enable thorough and gentle tooth brushing.
If you're wondering now, How many times a day to brush your teeth is necessary, experience has shown that you will find different opinions on this. Most people brush their teeth twice a day. Regularly after meals, but at least twice a day is also recommended by the information center for caries prophylaxis.1
After 3 months at the latest you should also replace your toothbrush or change the brush head.
Tip #2: Use toothpaste containing fluoride
Whether toothpaste with or without fluoride is preferable and how much is safe is always hotly debated. But fluoride definitely strengthens the tooth enamel and protects your teeth from tooth decay.
For adults, toothpastes with a Fluoride content from 1,000 to 1,500 ppm recommended. Which is the best toothpaste in this respect is revealed by regular tests and comparisons.
Tip #3: Brush your teeth properly
Brushing mistakes are one of the most common causes of unhealthy teeth! It there are definitely several "correct" tooth brushing techniquesall of which lay the foundation for the longest possible dental health and beautiful white teeth can lay.
However, it is generally advisable to sweep away the plaque by "from red to white" wipe out. Position the toothbrush at an angle to the gums. Always make sure that you all tooth surfaces cleans and not too firm on you.
If you are unsure, you should always consult the Seek advice from your dentist. Let the practice show you how to brush your teeth properly.
Important additional tip for healthy teeth: Even a perfect brushing routine will only have a diminished effect if you don't quit smoking! Among other things, regular cigarettes double your risk of tooth loss2reduces the blood supply to your gums and leaves unsightly discoloration on your teeth.
Tip #4: Use supplementary dental care products
The list of dental care products other than toothbrushes and toothpaste is long. But not all of them are really useful for healthy teeth. Here I have therefore the most recommended supplements to promote your dental health:
- The chewing sugar-free dental chewing gum stimulates the salivary flow and helps to remove excess food residues and neutralize harmful bacteria.
- Through the use of Dental floss you also clean the places in your mouth that are difficult or impossible to reach with your toothbrush. Also Interdental space brushes are ideal for removing plaque from between the teeth, for example.
- With the help of a Tongue scraper you can remove bacteria from the tongue and Fight bad breath naturally. Alternatively, it also works with a spoon or the toothbrush head.
- A Mouthwash kills the very bacteria that cause bad breath, tooth decay and other dental problems.
Tip #5: Eat a healthy diet
Your preferred diet has a decisive influence on whether your teeth stay healthy or not.
Since, for example Acidic soft drinks and cereal and dairy products damage tooth enamel, you should only eat them in moderation and definitely brush your teeth about an hour afterwards. Also before Sweets You should of course be careful with industrial sugar.
Firm and crunchy vegetablescarrots or kohlrabi, can reduce plaque and protect your teeth and - just like apples, whole grains and legumes - strengthen them from the inside out.
It is at least as important to pay attention to the Components of your food and meals as they provide your teeth with the most important nutrients. Calcium and Fluorides definitely play a crucial role in your dental health.
Tip #6: Favor vitamin-rich foods for healthy teeth
Vitamins are the ideal allies of calcium and fluorides when it comes to a tooth-friendly diet. Above all Vitamin Cbut also the Vitamins A, D, K and E are important for your dental health.
Here are some examples some foods (+ further information), which are particularly rich in the respective vitamins:
- Carrots, pumpkin, kale and spinach (Vitamin A)
- Rosehips, currants, broccoli and citrus fruits (Vitamin C)
- Record via the sun; Edible mushrooms and chanterelles (Vitamin D)
- Wheat germ oil, nuts and savoy cabbage (Vitamin E)
- Brussels sprouts, parsley, chives and chickpeas (Vitamin K)
Tip #7: Follow the correct dental care sequence
Of course, the sequence in which you perform your routine dental protection measures every day is also important. Here is a sensible approach for permanently healthy teeth:
- Using a tongue scraper
- Clean between the teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes
- Brush your teeth with toothpaste and the brushing technique mentioned above
- Use mouthwash
Tip #8: Choose your dental filling wisely
Choosing the right dental filling is crucial for long-term dental health, but also for the esthetic appearance. For some years now, the previously frequently used However, amalgam has been criticized.
Due to undesirable Side effects of the mercury it contains should the use of amalgam as a dental filling material will now be banned from January 1, 2025.
Instead, alternative filling materials such as Ceramic, composite or gold advised.
Tip #9: Be careful when grinding your teeth
If you suffer from teeth grinding, this (often unconscious and stress-related) habit can cause considerable damage to your teeth. The constant grinding together wears away tooth enamel, among other things and increases the likelihood of cracks and fractures. In the worst case, you could even lose your teeth.
It is best to discuss the treatment options with your dentist if the worst comes to the worst. Bite splints for example, are a proven solution for protecting your teeth. In principle, you should of course also tackle the cause - for example, your Reduce stress level.
Tip #10: Go for regular check-ups and teeth cleaning
Once or twice a year, you should arrange a check-up at your trusted dental practice. Namely even if you don't currently have a toothache. Possible problems can be detected and treated at an early stage in this way. The costs of the check-up are usually even covered by health insurance.
Also have a regular Professional tooth cleaning (PZR) to remove stubborn deposits. Many health insurance companies provide a subsidy for teeth cleaning, which is usually between 20 and 100 euros per year.
Healthy teeth? Prevention is better than aftercare!
Dental hygiene is not only an investment in your dental health and well-being, but also in your general health! And as you can see, it is Not that difficult to protect your teeth.
From the right brushing technique, to the ideal toothbrush and toothpaste, to a healthy diet and keeping the recommended preventive appointments, you now have a Learned a variety of tips. Be sure to integrate them into your daily routine to create the basis for a healthy, radiant smile.
"Health is not everything, but without health, everything is nothing."
Arthur Schopenhauer (more at Health Quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or can you think of any other tips for strong, healthy teeth that you would like to share with me? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay healthy,
PS: Not only your teeth, but also your eyes need conscious protection - especially in times of digitalization! How to protect your Protect your eyes on the screen and your Promote eye healthI will now show you in the linked blog articles.
Source reference:
- Information center for caries prophylaxis of the German Working Group for Dentistry: The 4 pillars of caries prophylaxis, available at https://www.kariesvorbeugung.de/die-4-saeulen-der-kariesprophylaxe/gewissenhafte-zahnpflege. [12.08.2024]. ↩︎
- German Dental Association; German Cancer Research Center: Smoking damages teeth (as of 25.05.2010), available at https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/ausgabe-212010/rauchen-schadet-den-zaehnen. [12.08.2024]. ↩︎