Sunday 12 June 2011

HOW TO CARE YOUR TEETH



When you get your picture taken, everyone says, "Say cheese! Smile!" So you do — you open your mouth and show your teeth. When you see the picture, you see a happy person looking back at you. The healthier those teeth are, the happier you look. Why is that


It's because your teeth are important in many ways. If you take care of them, they'll help take care of you. Strong, healthy teeth help you chew the right foods to help you grow. They help you speak clearly. And yes, they help you look your best.




HOW TO KEEP YOUR TEETH HEALTHY


God is so great that he had given us two sets of teeth, milk teeth(20) and permanent teeth(32).Milk teeth are for the age when we are not that grown up to keep a look on our teeth. All the milk teeth erupt by 3 years of age. The milk teeth are shed from 6 years onward  till about 10 years of age.Slowly, the permanent teeth grow in and take the place of the milk teeth. By about age 12 or 13, most kids have lost all of their milk teeth.

FOR KIDS
A small child always try to keep all the persons happy and he do it just by giving a sweet smile.It's never too early to teach children how to take care of their teeth, dentists say. In fact, many parents don't know that the time to start daily cleanings is before babies have any teeth at all. Here are some tips to keep your kids teeth healthy


  • Wipe an infant's gums with a damp cloth or piece of gauze. Try this at least twice a day
    • When the first teeth come in, brush with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Use only a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste before a child is able to spit.FONES method of brushing is recommended in children in which t
    he child is asked to stretch his/her arm such that they are parallel to the floor, then asked to make big circles which are reduced in diameter until very small circles are made in front of the mouth.Nowbrushing is done in circular motion in the teeth making sure that the teeth and the gums are covered.
  •  Try to wean a child from the breast or bottle by age 1 and limit pacifiers and thumb sucking. Too much sucking can cause decay and push teeth out of place, especially after age 4 or 5.
  • Don't give a child a bottle of milk, juice or sweetened liquid at bedtime. The sugar will lead to tooth decay causing nursing bottle caries.
  • Help a young child brush their teeth and tongue at night, which is the most important time to clean. Let the child brush alone at first to build self-confidence and then do another round yourself. 
  • Set up a child's first dental visit about six months after the first tooth comes in.



FOR ADULTS
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day, with a toothpaste that contains the ingredient fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and cavities and you should use it daily. Be sure to brush your teeth in the morning, before going to bed and after every meal if your prefer. Make sure that you brush all of your teeth (front and back) and use a large toothbrush with soft or medium bristles.

  • Floss your teeth daily. Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gumline. 
  • Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after eating anything and use your finger to remove anything got stucked in your mouth.
  • Rinse with an appropriate mouthwash. Using a mouthwash is necessary for good dental hygiene because it helps reduce gum disease and plaque buildup on your teeth.

  • Follow a well-balanced and nutritional diet. It is important to eat healthy and avoid eating a lot of sugary foods. Too much sugar is not good for the teeth because it causes cavities. So, instead of grabbing a candy bar or donut for a snack, try eating a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or low-fat yogurt.
  • Visit your dentist for regular check-ups. Caring for your adult teeth also requires you to visit your dentist at least twice a year (once every 6 months). Your dentist can examine your teeth and determine whether or not you have any tooth decay, cavities or gum disease. Your dentist can also professionally clean your teeth for you.