Prevention is always better than having to cure or treat decay. This is why the first and most important rule for perfect and healthy teeth is to have regular dental check ups. Treating a cavity immediately when it has just formed, will save your teeth from other more drastic treatments, and becomes a minor problem.
Once that is clear, every other dental care becomes a simple and constant routine, but you do need to be persistent with your oral hygiene. Regular tooth brushing twice daily and flossing once a day will do wonders for your teeth.
Tartar accumulation will damage healthy teeth and it is also hard to get rid of. If you purchase good quality anti-tartar toothpaste and remove plaque as soon as it forms, this will avoid the corrosive action of bacteria on the enamel.
Choose a toothpaste that has slightly abrasive ingredients, such as baking soda and higher fluoride content. Brush your teeth and your gums to stimulate salivation, which protects against tartar, build-up.
Avoid excessive consumption of drinks such as tea, coffee, and wine or other staining agents including nicotine, these will tarnish the brightness of our teeth and can lead to discoloration.
If you do have a discoloration problem, you can opt for teeth whitening products, which range from whitening toothpastes to custom fitted trays with hydrogen peroxide gels.
Before using bleaching agents, try natural ingredients such as baking soda, by mixing it in with your toothpaste. The abrasive effect will get rid of plaque and reduce tartar.
You can also help your teeth by keeping to a well-balanced and healthy diet, rich in minerals and vitamins such as fluoride, calcium, Vitamin D and C.
Calcium is essential for strong and healthy teeth and should privilege foods such as dairy products, sardines, fortified cereals, salmon and dark leafy vegetables.
With age the rate of calcium absorption is reduced, this is why it is important to consume larger amounts of Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb the calcium intake.
Without this vitamin, most of the calcium intake, once we are past would be wasted. So, keep in mind that the two elements work together.
There are actually very few food types that are rich in Vitamin D, some of these are cod liver oil, mushrooms, salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, egg yolks and fortified dairy products or orange juices. Our bodies actually produce Vitamin D naturally when we are exposed to the UV rays of the sun.
Vitamin C should also be consumed for it prevents gum diseases and keeps them healthy as well as our teeth.
Fluoride, which is the key element for healthy teeth can be found either in water, salt or toothpastes, although it can cause tooth marks when used in excess during childhood.
Avoid all junk food, such as crisps, hamburgers, and sodas that are high in sugar content, for these will corrode the enamel of the teeth and promote decay.
