1. Brushing the Right Way
You are brushing your teeth regularly as required but you still have dental problems. The problem isn’t how many times you brush your teeth but how do you brush your teeth? And how long do you do it?

Dentists recommend you to position your brush at an angle of 45 degrees to your gums. At this angle, you can now brush back and forth using short strokes to clean the top and sides of your teeth. When cleaning the front and back teeth place the brush vertically and use short strokes while brushing. Brush your tongue and palate to rid of food residue that might have gotten stuck. Take at least two minutes to brush your teeth; it will ensure food residue on the surface of your teeth and tongue are eliminated.

2. Eating Healthy
Nutrition is essential to oral health as it to your entire body. What you eat will influence the overall health of your mouth. Foods rich in calcium such as green leafy vegetables, dairy products, and fish such as sardines are the right type of foods to include in your daily meals.

Sweets and starchy foods such as fried potato chips and refined flour has a characteristic of sticking on the teeth. When the teeth are not cleaned properly, the starchy food or sweets break down into simple sugars which bacteria feed on that produces acid that causes tooth decay. After eating these type of foods, it is crucial you brush your teeth thoroughly after that meal to avoid acid build up.

3. Avoid Teeth Stainers
Tobacco should not be your friend since it is your teeth worst enemy. It will not only stain your teeth but will cause periodontal disease, gum recession, and tooth loss. Tobacco affects the entire body and is known to weaken the immune system making you prone to infections, and the mouth is no exception.

Coffee and soft drinks cause teeth staining. Tannins in coffee deposits on the teeth surface and build up with frequent consumption. When drinking coffee or tea you can protect the teeth by using straws for drinking.

4. Dental Visit
Most people may not see the importance of dental visits if they don’t have dental issues. Dental visits should start as early as childhood when the child has started having their first tooth. By visiting a dentist, you’ll prevent a lot of dental anomalies that can cause severe damage to your oral health.

It is during a dental visit the dentist can identify a dental disorder at an early stage. Early detection of diseases allows for faster treatment and management before it causes further damage. It is recommended to visit your dentist after every six months to protect your teeth and prevent oral diseases.

5. Flossing
Flossing is vital since it cleans the hidden parts between the teeth. Food residues tend to hide in between teeth, fermentation occurs, and bacteria grow which cause tooth decay.

When flossing avoids using the same part of the floss for the entire teeth, this is to prevent infecting other teeth with bacteria in case they are present. Flossing is done with the thread in between your teeth and done in a back and forwards motion as it lies on the side of the tooth in a curved shape.

6. Fluoride Toothpaste
The American dental association recommends the use of fluoride toothpaste as it the best for strengthening teeth and keeping the oral health at its best.

Tooth decay is rare in people who use fluoride toothpaste and rinses since the fluoride in mouthwashes and toothpaste strengthens the teeth and prevent further deterioration on a tooth that is already affected.

7. Change Your Toothbrush
The ideal time frame to use a toothbrush is three months but if your brush bristles have started to flatten it is time to change it. Using a toothbrush with flat bristles will not clean your teeth properly, leaving bacteria on the tooth’s surface.

8. Avoid Night-Time Snacking
It might be tempting to snack at night, but this isn’t good unless you eat and brush before going to bed. You brush twice a day, in the morning and before going to bed. Cleaning before going to bed rids of the food particles that may turn to bacteria feed during the night.

9. Clean Your Toothbrush
Cleaning your toothbrush after use and store it properly to air dry prevents bacteria buildup. Avoid covering your toothbrush after using it as this will encourage the growth of bacteria which you’ll transmit back to your mouth unknowingly.

10. Don’t Share a Toothbrush
A mother might think it is okay to use the same toothbrush with her child because of the fact the child is hers. It is unhealthy to share brushes for the simple reason you might be having dental diseases or bacteria which can be transferred to the other person. It is best if you always use your own toothbrush that is clean.