Tips for healthy teeth

How should we brush our teeth? Which foods benefit them, which ones destroy them and what about whitening? We round up expert advice on how to take care of your teeth... like your eyes.

Every time we talk, every time we eat, laugh at a joke, get angry or just smile, we show our teeth. But their image is not the only reason we need to take care of them... like our eyes. That is why the following information, instructions and advice from the medical experts - partners of Iatronet.gr will help us to overcome our dental weaknesses and keep our teeth healthy.

Hold the toothbrush by placing the bristles at an angle of about 45 degrees and towards the gum line, making a small circular movement so that the food debris is removed from the gum-tooth line. Start from left to right brushing from the molars back to front.

In the upper jaw we have 3 tooth surfaces to brush: one from the outside towards the cheeks and lips, one from the inside and the chewing surface. And on the inner tooth surface ( towards the palate) again the position of the toothbrush in relation to the gums should be at a 45 degree angle. As far as the chewing surfaces are concerned, the toothbrush is vertical. The same procedure applies to the three tooth surfaces of the lower jaw, with particular attention to the lower front teeth towards the inner surface, where more saliva is collected due to the tongue.

We must not forget the language. Brushing it when brushing your teeth removes the bacteria that accumulate in the papillae of the tongue. This also prevents bad breath. Brushing is done by placing the toothbrush as far back as possible at the base of the tongue, so that there is no tendency to vomit, and bringing it forward at least 6-7 times. Complete the cleaning by flossing.

Ms.Kostomouri even advises to avoid hard toothbrushes, because they can create damage to the teeth and gums resulting in sensitivity, and to change our toothbrush every 3-4 months or when the hairs "open".

The Assistant Professor of the Athens School of Dentistry Mr. Nikolaos Kouvelas emphasizes that the habit of brushing in the morning when we wake up and in the evening before we go to sleep is one of the "myths" of the oral cavity, as he says, we should brush our teeth three times a day after the main meals. "It makes a huge difference how we brush our teeth. Each tooth needs brushing 10 times in 3 different directions, so up to the age of 7, brushing should be done by the parent," says the professor. In addition, he points out that eating a sweet during the main meal is better than eating it between meals.

*Food for shiny teeth

The clinical dietician and nutritionist Mr. Haris Demosthenopoulos points out the foods that benefit our teeth, but also those that destroy them (see in detail the reasons why each food is beneficial or harmful for the teeth here).

The "white" list: Celery, cheese, green tea, kiwi and strawberries, onion, sesame seeds, water, chamomile, while foods that are not sticky or hard, sugar and caffeine do not harm teeth.
The blacklist: Sweets, candies and caramel syrup, carbonated or caffeinated beverages, lemon and fruit juices-fruit drinks.

Elizabeth Koukopoulou, DDS, Msc, a dental surgeon, advises, "Drink drinks that impart pigments to teeth with a straw, and rinse your mouth immediately after smoking or drinking coffee."

*Caosmosis
One of the reasons why our self-confidence often plummets is when we suffer from bad breath. This can be due to dry mouth, teeth that have become loose from decay, the appearance of gingivitis or periodontitis, but also problems with a "source" outside the oral cavity, such as in the tonsils or stomach. The phenomenon is also intensified by indifference to oral hygiene. Let's see what experts suggest to get rid of the "root" of the evil and not just cover it with a mouthwash:

With regard to dry mouth, the following is suggested:
-Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, which is essential for human health in general.
Prefer sugar-free chewing gum and candies.
-Limit sugar in general in your life. It spoils the teeth.
-Avoid smoking, alcohol, coffee and too much sun especially in the summer (to avoid dehydration).
-Use on a daily basis together with brushing and fluoride floss. Special chewing gums similar to those used for whitening are used with fluoride.
-Use toothpaste with fluoride.

Caries, gingivitis and periodontitis are also important enemies of our teeth. Acids, food debris, saliva and microorganisms in our mouths are a combination that contributes to the formation of so-called "plaque", which if left and hardened turns into a "tartar", irritating the gums and causing gingivitis or periodontitis. The plaque acids also cause tooth decay, which destroys the tooth enamel.

To prevent all of the above, we should follow the advice given above and visit the dentist twice a year for a check up. Also, we must be careful when brushing, not to make too strong movements, so that the enamel of the teeth is not worn away.

*Whitening
Modern dentistry is not only about giving us healthy teeth: we also need more beautiful teeth - after all, they are an integral part of our image. So, cosmetic dentistry proposes safe whitening solutions for teeth that have lost their colour and have turned yellow for some reason (usually lack of fluoride).

Whitening can be done by the dentist or by yourself at home, as well as by a combination of both practices. Usually, it starts in the dentist's office, either with a special whitening gel, which is deposited on your teeth for a few minutes, or with a laser, for an even faster procedure. It is suggested to continue whitening at home, with special whitening material masks, which you will wear for specific hours for a few days, always according to the dentist's instructions.

The methods are considered safe and the duration of the results ranges from a few months to 2-3 years. Bleaching has spectacular results for smokers, but since they continue to smoke, the yellow colour returns sooner.

SOURCE: http://www.in2life.gr/wellbeing/health/article/214922/tips-gia-ygih-dontia.html

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