10 DENTAL CARE TIPS FOR HEALTHY TEETH

 No matter how good the dentist is, everyone will be happy if going to the dentist is only limited to the check-up appointments. But good dental care is crucial. If you take good care of your teeth, you can hope to be spared dental diseases such as caries or periodontitis. In our article we would like to give you tips on what proper dental care should look like.

Would you rather speak to the expert on site? Or do you have dental problems that should be treated? 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH?

Probably the most important dental care tip for healthy teeth is also the top priority here: regular tooth brushing! But how often do you have to clean your teeth ?

Roughly speaking: in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before going to bed. In the case of large spaces between the teeth, in which numerous food residues can settle, it can be advisable to clean the teeth again after meals. Leftovers of food between the teeth do not make a good impression on the person you are talking to and can cause bad breath. In the worst case, they can also lead to dental disease in the long term, since bacteria can form in the leftovers.

Tip number 1: Brush your teeth at least twice a day!

ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH OR MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH?

Brushing your teeth regularly is important - but what's the best way to do it? Should you brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush or an "ordinary" manual toothbrush?

The manual toothbrush is classic. It should have a relatively small head and rounded bristles that are arranged at different heights if possible. Manual toothbrushes are also available that fold up for your pocket. So you can always have them with you when you're on the go.

Cleaning is easier with an electric toothbrush. Round brush heads with bristles arranged at different heights adapt perfectly to each individual tooth. The brushes only have to be applied from tooth to tooth, the teeth are then cleaned very thoroughly. Good electric toothbrushes have an optical or, even better, acoustic pressure control, so that tooth substance is not removed when brushing with too much pressure. So you almost always have an electric toothbrush controller at your side.

Tip number 2: In the overall assessment, it can be stated that teeth can be cleaned with both toothbrush variants. With a good electric toothbrush, however, it is easier to achieve a very good cleaning result.

WHICH TOOTHPASTE DO YOU RECOMMEND?

No clear recommendation for toothpastes can be given. A lot is a matter of taste. Toothpastes with fluoride are commonly used to repeatedly supply the enamel with the trace element and thus make it more resistant to decalcification. Caries can develop on the basis of tooth decalcification .

Toothpastes with various herbal extracts are often offered for gums that tend to become easily inflamed. A good idea, but the taste can take some getting used to.
There are various sensitive toothpastes for sensitive tooth necks. These pastes try to work against the sensitivity with different additives. It is advisable to test which brand is most helpful for you.

So-called repair toothpastes are relatively new on the market. They are enriched with apatite, which is embedded in the enamel surface of the teeth, which chemically also consist of apatite. Although only very small amounts of apatite are stored, success can be recorded with long-term use. However, these pastes also have a higher price.

Tip number 3: Toothpaste with fluoride strengthens the enamel. Repair toothpastes containing apatite can also help here. If you have sensitive teeth, use sensitive toothpaste!

WHAT ABOUT WHITENING TOOTHPASTES?

Let's stay on the subject of toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes have been around for a long time. In the past, relatively coarse abrasives were often added to these pastes to scrub away discoloration caused by nicotine, tea or red wine. Not a good idea, because this method leads to severe abrasion of the tooth substance itself.

Toothpaste tubes have an RDA value (Relative Dentin Abrasion Value) - the value for the abrasiveness. Abrasiveness refers to the abrasive effect of toothpaste. The RDA value should not exceed 35 to 50. Highly abrasive toothpastes should only be used sporadically, if at all.

Whitening (bleaching) toothpastes

Bleaching toothpastes are also intended to make teeth whiter . These toothpastes promise to lighten the color of teeth. Due to legal regulations, however, over-the-counter products may only contain a very small concentration of bleaching agents, so that no significant whitening effect can be assumed.

Tip number 4: Pay attention to the RDA value of your toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes will not have much of an effect on the color of your teeth.

PROBLEM AREA INTERDENTAL SPACES

As good as a toothbrush and toothpaste are, the spaces between the teeth are often not cleaned thoroughly enough in this way. That is why interdental brushes for cleaning the spaces between the teeth are now a basic tool in dental care.

Important: The spaces between the teeth are cleaned first, only then is the toothbrush used.

Interdental brushes should always be as large as possible in diameter so that they can be pressed firmly against the tooth surfaces to loosen plaque that is sitting there. Brushes made entirely of silicone are more advantageous than brushes with a metal core. With these interdental brushes, no metal can scratch the tooth or crown surface.

Has dental floss gone out of style?

Dental floss is the tried and tested classic for cleaning the spaces between your teeth. Dental floss comes in a variety of forms. Waxed dental floss often slides more easily into the interdental space. If the dental floss is more ribbon-like, it develops a greater cleaning effect. Special forms of dental floss are suitable for cleaning underneath pontics.
Overall, dental floss is preferable to interdental brushes if the teeth are very close together. However, proper flossing can be difficult for some people.

Tip number 5: Whether with an interdental brush or dental floss: the spaces between the teeth should be cleaned regularly!

TOOTHBRUSH STORAGE

Whether manual toothbrush, brush head of the electric toothbrush or interdental brush - it is important that the toothbrushing utensils remain hygienic.

How do you keep toothbrushes and the like hygienically clean? Our tip number 6:

1. After cleaning your teeth, clean the brush under cold running water
2. Dry toothbrush with a towel
3. Store the brush so that the bristles can dry. Otherwise, bacteria could settle on unclean and wet bristles.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH?

In terms of hygiene, one is faced with another important question when it comes to toothbrushes: How often does the toothbrush have to be changed?

Regular rotation is important. A rule of thumb says that you should replace your toothbrush (or the brush head of the electric version) every three months at the latest. Over time, bacteria accumulate in the bristles, which also wear down with frequent use.

Tip number 7: Replace the toothbrush at regular intervals!

CHEW A LOT FOR MORE SALIVA - THE RIGHT FOODS SUPPORT THIS

Do you know that you have an endogenous cleaning function for the oral cavity? It means the saliva. He has several ways to clean teeth and mouth.

• Saliva cleans the mouth of food debris
• Saliva supports remineralization
• Saliva protects against acidic bacteria
• Saliva helps prevent tooth decay from forming

The formation of saliva is primarily stimulated by the chewing mechanism. So feel free to grab some chewing gum - naturally with no added sugar. Or eat foods that require a lot of chewing. For example apples, bread or carrots.

Tip number 8: Form saliva! He helps with dental care or Dentist in Burke.

THE GUMS ARE ALSO PART OF DENTAL CARE

Dental care – the word already clearly describes what it is all about: the teeth. But that is only partly true. Because the gums are also part of the dental apparatus. And you should also keep this in mind when it comes to oral care.

Our tips on brushing your teeth and cleaning between your teeth are also important when it comes to taking care of your gums . Also, don't brush your teeth too aggressively. There is a risk of injuring the gums.

Also watch out for inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). This – or the more drastic form of periodontitis – is caused by bacteria and plaque. If you find out that you suffer from gingivitis, initial symptoms can be quickly brought under control through targeted hygiene measures. If the inflammation does not subside, you should see your dentist.

Tip number 9: Make sure you also take care of your gums!

DENTAL CARE AT THE DENTIST - REGULAR PROPHYLAXIS IS THE BE-ALL AND END-ALL

Next to brushing your teeth, it is probably the most important aspect of thorough dental care: regular visits to the dentist. Dental prophylaxis from an early age and a huge market for dental care products and devices help people to keep their teeth for life.

Tooth loss or edentulism in old age is by no means an inevitable fate. Healthy teeth mean quality of life and social participation. With your own fixed teeth, you can talk easily and communicate with others. Healthy oral conditions also mean fresh breath, with which you can get closer to your fellow human beings. As a young person, you consider all of this to be normal – only the loss makes it clear how valuable your own teeth and healthy oral conditions were.

The admonitions for dental care run through childhood, the explanations for dental care are the subject of school lessons and in advertising. Then there shouldn't be any dental disease at all. However, neither tooth decay nor periodontitis have been eradicated. Because you don't always follow the dental care rules consistently.

Crooked teeth, tooth gaps or complicated dentures often make cleaning even more difficult. Everyone knows that high sugar consumption damages teeth, but sugar consumption is still at a very high level. Many stimulants discolor the white teeth, which may not be harmful to health, but can be unsightly.

The consequence is that professional help in maintaining dental health is required if one's teeth are to have a long life. Some people rarely need this help, others - especially if they have gum disease - need professional support more often.

Tooth cleaning at the dentist

Together with the patient, the dentist estimates how often professional teeth cleaning should take place. As a rule, this should be done once or twice a year or every 3 months after gum treatments.

As part of the professional tooth cleaning, the teeth are cleaned and polished with fine ultrasound attachments and, if necessary, very fine blasting media. The prophylaxis assistant primarily cleans the tooth areas that are not accessible to the patient themselves. It is very important that the patient is repeatedly given tips for efficient personal dental care. Finally, medication can be applied as required.

Professional tooth cleaning is not a service provided by statutory health insurance companies, because there is no illness (yet). However, many health insurance companies have bonus programs in which they reimburse their insured persons for PZR with a certain amount. There is some hope that in the future (when is completely unclear), at least after gum treatment, the PZR will be reimbursed by health insurance companies as aftercare, so to speak. But it's not that far yet. It is also worth taking a look at your own supplementary dental insurance policy, the PZR is often covered here.

More about professional teeth cleaning and prophylaxis in Aachen here!

Tip number 10: Have your teeth checked regularly by an expert!

WITH THE RIGHT DENTAL CARE YOU WILL VISIT THE DENTIST LESS OFTEN – BUT WE ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU

Our Dentist in Washington DC can help ensure that your teeth remain healthy in the long term and that you only have to go to the dentist for regular prophylaxis. If you still have problems with your teeth, we are there for you. Make an appointment in our dental practice in Aachen - we will be happy to help you.

Make an appointment online