Tips for maintaining a healthy smile - God, the merciful, has blessed each one of us with a set of perfectly designed teeth that do more than enhance the beauty of our face.
Amazingly, each tooth was created to serve a unique function. The front teeth (incisors) help us bite, the middle teeth (canines and pre-molars) help us tear food and the last teeth (molars) help us chew hard foods like meat.
So, it becomes our spiritual duty to preserve and look after what has been given to us in perfect balance because a tooth once lost can never be completely replaced — regardless of the thousands of riyals you may spend on a replacement or artificial prosthesis. How many sleepless nights does one spend in agonizing toothache, trying to delay making that inevitable appointment with the dentist? Yet, if you take good care of your teeth, then you can save yourself all that money and pain in the first place.
The first key to good oral health is rinsing your mouth after every food that goes into stimulating those taste buds. By rinsing your mouth, you remove all the sugar substrate that can cause cavities.
Cheese and chewing gums containing xylitol are also good after-food items. Recent research suggests that xylitol neutralizes the rising acid levels that develop after food in the mouth thereby reducing bacterial attacks on teeth. Furthermore, chewing sugarless gum in moderation is an excellent way to give your facial muscles some exercise.
It is not a rule of thumb that you will develop tooth problems because you have a weakness for all things sweet. However, keep in mind that moderation is vital. Modern diets that include sodas and processed juices cause erosion of the tooth structure, which can then result in teeth sensitivity. Therefore, you should substitute processed juices with whole fruits and fibrous vegetables like cabbage, spinach and iceberg lettuce. You should also include honey, apples, carrots and vitamin C rich fruits like oranges and kiwis to maintain the health of gums. By eating these healthy foods, you increase saliva production in the mouth, which prevents problems like halitosis (bad odor) and cavities since they can be triggered from a dry mouth. These healthy foods are not only good for your oral health but for those watching their weight.
Other things you can do are limiting the amount of coffee and tea you drink daily to prevent teeth staining and cutting down on smoking, as this can result in bad mouth odor, teeth staining and mouth cancers. Also, avoid eating hard and sticky candies, as these foods are difficult to remove even with brushing.
Remember, it is equally important to stay hydrated with fresh water as it prevents bad odors in the mouth and replenishes the body with lost electrolytes from the day’s heat.
Furthermore, don’t forget to include flossing as an after-food ritual and to brush your teeth twice a day. With the supermarket shelves swarming with a million toothpaste products, all you need to pick is one that contains fluoride, which will help keep cavities at bay.
Most importantly, make an effort to visit the dentist every six to eight months for routine checkups and regular full mouth cleaning. Early diagnosis can go a long way in preventing those long sleepless nights and having to dig deep into your pockets! ( arabnews.com )
So, stay fit, stay healthy and smile!
No comments:
Post a Comment