How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:KeepTeethHealthy
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How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Introduction

I've been to the Dentist a lot these past few months, and I'm still struggling to overcome a tooth infection under an OLD crown. Take it from me kids, it don't pay to neglect your toofs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You'll Need

  • Tooth Brush
  • Fluoride Rinse (ACT)
  • Tooth Paste
  • Floss
  • Mouth Wash (Listerene)

Steps

1

Step One

In the morning, use a bacteria-killing mouth wash like Listerene. This keeps your gums healthy and may protect against deeper, root infections.
2

Step Two

After breakfast and/or coffee, brush your teeth. I suggest bringing mouth wash, a tooth brush, and tooth paste to work so you can do this there after you're done reading Google News.
3

Step Three

Brush and floss at night. Grab a Sonicare, or similar-type, electric brush for more consistency in your cleaning and timing thereof. You'll never have to wonder if you brushed too little.
4

Step Four

Rinse with fluoride (such as J&J's "ACT") for 1 minute. With this, you'll swish it around your teeth, but be very careful not to swallow. Afterwards spit out whatever's still loosely roaming, but do not wash your mouth out with water and do not attempt to drink or eat for 30 minutes; that will drag the fluoride down to your tummy which is very bad!
5

Step Five

Sleep with a night guard if you grind your teeth to not only keep your jaw from being so sore, but to prevent cracking the toothes themselves!
6

Step Six

Visit your dentist when they tell you to (usually ever 6 months), most insurance will cover these checkups nicely and you won't let problems develop into catastrophes.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Brush after EVERY meal if you possibly can. I'm still not doing this, so do as I say not as I do.
  • Sip coffee or tea versus soda. The latter is far more damaging to your enamel even if less so to its whiteness.
  • Not every problem is apparent to your Dentist, be honest and forthcoming on anything unusual you are feeling in your teeth and gums.
  • Smoking and chewing tobacco are ... well, just don't do them if you want nice teeth without so much damn work.
  • Sipping soft drinks is terrible on your teef, either drink it faster or brush afterwards.
  • If you're thinking of dentures, just realize you'll need to have all your teeth pulled and your gums shaved down.
  • Root canals can get re-infected if the canals themselves were not filled fully and correctly. Make sure to have them x-rayed on your periodic visits and if you feel anything strange up there - let your Dentist know immediately (it'll save you going through multiple operations and medicines like me).
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