The dentist's advice for healthy teeth

We already know that overall health is influenced by the health of your teeth. That is why it is important to have a responsible attitude when it comes to our smile and proper dental care.

And it all starts with prevention.

Billions of bacteria live in the oral cavity, many of which are good bacteria that protect our oral health. However, there are also bacteria that build up as plaque, which turns food left in the mouth into acids and, over time, can cause tooth erosion. The bacteria responsible for this tend to multiply at night, when more saliva is secreted and our activity is on stand-by.

Therefore, in the absence of a proper daily routine of tooth care, left undisturbed, bacteria in the oral cavity can favor the development of tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis - inflammation and bleeding of the gums when brushing).

Tips to keep your teeth healthy in the long term

Maintain proper daily oral hygiene - dental care tips

For a healthy smile, it is mandatory to practice good oral hygiene every day by brushing your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, flossing, mouth-rinsing and oral douche. This not only ensures clean teeth, but also protects your gums and keeps your breath fresh.

The dentists on the DENT ESTET team recommend following the steps below in performing your daily brushing correctly and effectively, and taking proper care of your teeth:

• Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums;
• Dental brushing starts on one side of the arch and is completed on the opposite side;
• It is best to start with the upper and then the lower arch;
• Make gentle up and down movements (from the gum to the outside of the tooth) to remove food debris from the teeth and not push it towards the gum;
• Brush all surfaces of the tooth: outer, inner and the surface where chewing is performed;
• Use the tip of the toothbrush to clean the inner surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle technique from top to bottom for each individual tooth;
• Brush each tooth individually for several seconds;
• Perform vertical, or at most circular motions to sanitize the tooth surfaces and gums.

Keep tools used for daily hygiene clean

Make sure that after use, the toothbrush is thoroughly sanitized with water to remove any remaining toothpaste, floss and mouthwash are properly capped and stored in appropriate places until next use.

Also, don't forget to change your toothbrush every 3 months or even more often, depending on how worn out your brushes are. And if you've had a cold, the experts' recommendation is to change your toothbrush as soon as the cold has passed.

Keep cavities and other dental problems at bay

... with a regular check-up once every 6 months at the dentist's office, where the dentist clinically examines your oral cavity and with the help of digital dental X-rays gives you an up-to-date dental status and a correct treatment plan.

Whatever the situation, pay attention to the signs and signals that your smile is sending you and schedule a visit to your dentist if you notice:

• Bleeding gums;
• Swollen or red gums;
• Receding gums;
• Tooth mobility (teeth begin to move) without traumatic cause;
• Very high sensitivity to hot or cold;
• Persistent bad breath;
• Pain or discomfort while chewing.

Schedule regular prophylaxis appointments twice a year

Even if you follow your daily oral hygiene routine correctly, complete hygiene cannot be achieved and there is a bacterial film sticking to the teeth that cannot be removed by daily brushing alone, but can be removed at the dentist's office with a prophylaxis session (scaling, professional brushing and air-flow).

Control the amount of sugars and acidic foods you eat every day

We know it can be difficult to do this, but reducing your intake of sugary and high-acid foods not only ensures a healthy smile, but has a positive impact on your whole body. When it comes to your smile, a balanced diet protects you from cavities, halitosis and saves you long and expensive visits to the dentist!

We recommend as additional measures:

• Use a straw when consuming sweet drinks;
• Avoid very hot or very cold foods and drinks and, especially, alternate between them;
• Drink plenty of plain water;
• Brush your teeth, if possible, after consuming more sugary foods.

Other recommendations from dentists:

• Avoid using wooden toothpicks to remove interdental lodged food debris. They can injure your gums or encourage the transportation of other bacteria into the oral cavity;
• Give up vicious habits such as smoking, which not only affects the health of your teeth, but your overall health.

Be an informed patient and take care of your smile! The dentists of the DENT ESTET team are waiting to meet you for your regular visit.