Taking care of your teeth is very important to avoid toothache and maintain your appearance. Dental care is not difficult, but it takes habits to maintain dental and oral hygiene, eat healthy foods, and overcome existing problems by visiting the dentist.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Maintaining Dental and Oral Hygiene
Step 1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Brushing your teeth is an important step and should not be skipped or rushed. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. This is enough time to clean all the teeth.
- Replace a toothbrush that has started to break. After about three months, the bristles of the toothbrush will bend and will not be able to clean properly. In fact, the fur becomes sharp and will injure the gums so that they bleed easily. A new toothbrush can keep your teeth clean and shiny.
- If you use an electric toothbrush, the head should also be replaced every three months.
- Children should start brushing their teeth as soon as baby teeth appear. Milk teeth are also prone to cavities, and brushing their teeth from an early age will teach them how to care for their permanent teeth.
- You can also bring a toothbrush to work or school, and brush your teeth after lunch. This prevents food debris from sticking to the teeth and prevents bad breath. However, don't brush your teeth right after eating. Wait half an hour. Food in the mouth produces acid that softens the enamel, so the enamel is easily worn away when brushed.
Step 2. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride
Fluoride is important because it can increase the strength of the enamel on the teeth. Flurodia helps protect teeth from decay. Look for a brand of toothpaste that contains 1,350–1,500 ppm fluoride. Children may use it, but must be supervised by an adult so as not to ingest it. Children aged two to six years only need to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste every time they brush their teeth.
- Children's toothpaste does not always contain enough fluoride to effectively prevent tooth decay. To prevent damage, toothpaste must contain at least 1,000 ppm fluoride.
- Put a little toothpaste on the toothbrush, then brush all surfaces of the teeth. Spit it out afterwards, don't swallow it.
Step 3. Use dental floss every day
The use of dental floss can clean food debris, plaque, and bacteria that accumulate between the teeth. The first time you use it, your gums may bleed a little, but it will stop after a few days.
- It's best to use floss before brushing your teeth. The floss will clean the sides of the teeth so that the fluoride absorbs more easily and strengthens the enamel.
- Use 50 cm of dental floss. Wrap one finger in both hands, and then rub it between your teeth. Curl the floss over one tooth and move it up and down. Do not press too hard when approaching the gums. Even if it doesn't hurt, the gums may bleed a little, which is normal. It also reduces mild inflammation within the papillae
- There are people who are awkward using dental floss. If that's the case for you, try using an interdental cleaner. These cleaners are small brushes, sticks, or razors that you can slip between your teeth without having to deal with long floss.
Step 4. Use mouthwash
Mouthwash can kill bacteria and control bad breath. You can buy a commercial mouthwash or make a saline solution at home. Gargle for at least two minutes.
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of water. The salt will dissolve faster if you use warm water and stir it quickly.
- Check the ingredients of commercial mouthwash. Some commercial mouthwashes contain antibacterial or fluoride ingredients. It may feel strong. So, choose what you can tolerate.
- Even if you use mouthwash, you still have to brush your teeth.
- You can also put mouthwash in a water pick and use it to thoroughly clean between your teeth.
Step 5. Clean the tongue
You can do this with a special tongue brush. There are many toothbrushes whose back also functions as a tongue brush. If necessary, you can also brush your tongue with the bristles of a toothbrush. This cleaning step can remove food debris and bacteria on the surface of the tongue.
- Brush your tongue gently from back to front, being careful not to vomit.
- Wash your mouth when you're done. Do not ingest bacteria that have escaped from your tongue.
Step 6. Don't smoke
Smoking can increase the risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and cause bad breath and stains on teeth. Smoking also reduces the flow of saliva so bacteria can thrive in the mouth. If you smoke, stop for the sake of your teeth and mouth. If you need help, there are many resources to support smoking cessation efforts, such as:
- Telephone services, counseling and support groups
- Medical assistance such as medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and inpatient rehabilitation
Method 2 of 3: Protecting Teeth with a Healthy Diet
Step 1. Limit sugar consumption
Sugar produces acid because it is broken down by saliva and bacteria in the mouth. The acid destroys tooth enamel. You can reduce this damage by cutting back on sugar. Foods to avoid include:
- Desserts such as candy, cake, ice cream, cake, chocolate or other sweet and sticky cakes
- Breakfast cereals containing sugar
- Soda, tea and sweet coffee
Step 2. Reduce alcohol consumption
Alcohol increases the susceptibility of teeth to decay because it can damage the enamel. If you are used to drinking, limit the amount. The recommended daily limits are:
- One serving per day for women and one to two servings for men.
- One serving of alcoholic beverage equals one beer, glass of wine, or one lift of liquor.
Step 3. Eat a tooth-cleansing snack
Fresh and crunchy vegetables and fruit are a healthy way to fill your stomach. It can't replace a toothbrush, but it can clean your teeth and massage your gums when you eat them. The foods you need to try are:
- Apple
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Celery
- Paprika
- Lettuce
- Cucumber
Step 4. Reduce consumption of sticky foods
Sticky foods leave a sugar residue that sticks to your teeth, making them difficult to remove from between your teeth, and making your teeth more prone to decay. So, limit the consumption of the following foods:
- Raisins, dried prunes, dried mangoes, dried pineapples, and other dried fruits, especially if they are coated in sugar.
- Taffy, gummy bears, and gooey candy bar
- Granola bar
Step 5. Clean your teeth with sugar-free gum
Chewing gum can produce saliva. Saliva will break down and remove the remaining food left on the teeth.
- Sugar-free gum can be purchased at grocery stores, supermarkets, or pharmacies.
- If sugar-free gum isn't available, don't chew sugary gum. Sweet gum will actually coat your teeth with sugar and increase the risk of cavities.
Method 3 of 3: Getting Professional Treatment
Step 1. Watch for signs of dental problems
Many dental problems start as minor discomforts and then progress to more serious and difficult conditions to treat. Schedule an appointment with the dentist if any:
- Pain or swelling in the jaw
- Missing permanent teeth
- Gums that are sore, bleeding, or swollen when you brush or floss
- Gums pulled from teeth
- Teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold food
- Bad breath that can't go away
- Pain or discomfort when biting
Step 2. Ask the dentist to clean your teeth
Make a doctor's appointment to check and clean your teeth every six months. Take your child to the dentist as soon as his baby teeth appear. The dentist will:
- Shows you the best way to clean your teeth with a brush and floss
- Cleans teeth from hard plaque that sticks in hard-to-reach areas
- Checking for gum disease
- Looking for dental cavities
Step 3. Ask your dentist about fluoride varnishes and fissure sealants
This treatment can protect teeth in the long term. Children and adults alike can use it.
- Fluoride varnish can be applied every half year. In this treatment, fluoride is applied to the teeth to strengthen the enamel.
- Fissure sealant is applied once every ten years. These are fillings that create a smooth and slippery surface to protect the gaps in your teeth from bacteria and food that can get trapped in them.
Step 4. Find dental care that is affordable for you
Many people have to pay for dental care out of their own pocket. Here's how to find more affordable options:
- Contact the local health office or puskesmas. If your dental condition cannot be treated by a general dentist at the puskesmas, you will be directed to a clinic that fits your budget.
- Look for information at a dentistry college in your city whether there is cheap or free treatment as a way to attract patients to provide a student experience. You do not need to worry because this examination is always supervised by a dentist.
