I was around 12 or 13 years old when a tooth broke when I ate something very hard; I don't remember if it was sweet or what, the truth i...
It was a nightmare; every visit to the dentist was to suffer an ordeal. It is not to exaggerate, but I hated that man, he was not only cruel when doing his job: he pinched me because I cried, due to the pain he caused when he practiced the treatment. One day I just didn't come back; the blissful treatment that was supposed to last only about 3 months became insufferable, and he no longer tolerated anything.
I returned to have an extraction of that same tooth about 3 years later because the pain was unbearable, and I preferred it a thousand times to having to return to the dentist.
I was not and am not the only person who is afraid of going to the dentist. It is a fact that not everyone is like that bad professional who treated me when I was 12 years old. The truth is that annual visits to the dentist can be zero traumatic and much less if at home and on a daily basis you practice or stop practicing some of the habits that I will point out below.
1 Biting your nails
The act of biting your nails wears down and cracks your tooth enamel. This means that bacteria that cause cavities can easily enter the dentin and damage the tooth.
In some cases, nail-biting can be the cause of jaw pain, jaw muscle tension, headache; It is not a medical conclusion, but it is of interest to take it into account.
2 Using your teeth as a "tool"
Sometimes we use them both to hold things, and to tear or cut things; we have all done it and this is very harmful to dental health. The reason is that by using them in that way you can get fractures that will allow bacteria to enter the dentin, and from that to caries the path is very short. The other consequence is that over time they can split.
3 Using types of mouthwash as whitening products
Quite the contrary to what they want to sell us, the reality is that many types of mouthwash are harmful because of their high alcohol content. This will not only clean the teeth, but it will also do so in a way that will even kill the bacterial flora that helps the mouth to stay healthy.
Whitening products wear down the enamel on your teeth. These are not harmful if used under the supervision of oral health professionals.
4 Give your children vitamins in the form of gums
I know that candy is much more attractive to a child than a vitamin powder shake. The truth is that they are still sweet no matter how much vitamin they bring.
Dentists point out that traces of this attractive vitamin can remain between the teeth and be a source of "food" for bacteria that will eventually cause cavities and generate gum disease, among other medical illnesses. For that reason, the consumption of these supplements should be daily and supervised by the parents.
Fortunately, the inconvenience that can be caused by gummies and candy residues can be avoided by properly brushing your teeth.
Carbonated drinks (which contain gas), as well as dark ones, affect the health of the teeth; sugar-free drinks are not spared either. The former, because due to the high sugar content, they cause cavities, the latter stain the teeth, and the third because they generate acidity in the mouth, which produces demineralization, a process by which tooth enamel breaks.
Nor is it good to drink water with acidic juices (lemon, orange, and/or vinegar juices). The reason is that in extreme amounts they will wear down tooth enamel.
The positive thing is that to minimize the damage, you can -after ingesting them-, rinse your mouth with water to restore the natural pH and get rid of what could damage your teeth.
5 Eat frequent snacks
Although nutritionists advise eating in small amounts and very frequently to lose weight and improve digestive health; the truth is that it is not so good for dental health.
It happens that eating every few hours increases the pH level in your mouth; which causes some acidity to be generated in it for at least 20 or 30 minutes until the saliva neutralizes it. That acidity increases the chances of cavities.
6 Smoking
Smoking is not only harmful to the lungs, it is for the whole body in general. Your teeth will be affected because smoking leaves traces of nicotine and other chemical agents that not only stain the teeth but also wear down the enamel over time. This little by little can cause you to lose your teeth because it generates weakness in the roots of them.
7 Brush your teeth right after eating
The teeth after eating are quite vulnerable due to the acidity generated by eating food. If you brush your mouth after eating, you run the risk of causing very small fractures in the tooth enamel.
What you must do to avoid damage is to wait 30 minutes and then brush your mouth.
You know then which habits deteriorate your dental health, now you will find some tips that will help you take better care of your teeth.
9 Tips for Excellent Dental Health
1 Brush your teeth every day, 3 times a day for 3 minutes each time. Take care that brushing is short and soft. Include the tongue and gums in your brushing.
2 Change your brush regularly, at least every 3 months.
3 Use a toothpaste with fluoride, as it strengthens your teeth, protecting them from the appearance of cavities.
4 Use dental floss once a day to clean between teeth and molars
5 Use alcohol-free mouthwash
6 Visit your dentist at least once a year
7 Eat sugar-free gum to decrease the level of acidity that occurs in your mouth after each meal.
8 Have a healthy and varied diet that includes foods such as melon, watermelon, sardines, or tomatoes; this helps to get good hydration of your teeth.
9 Avoid very cold and carbonated sweets or drinks. Candy has a lot of sugar, and very cold drinks wear down tooth enamel.
Taking care of your dental health as that of your family is easy, just try to follow these simple tips and you can enjoy beautiful healthy teeth, as you always dreamed of.
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