From The Straits Times    |

Image: Showbit

1. Brush your teeth daily

Brush your teeth at least twice a day – ideally in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before going to bed.

Spend two to three minutes for brushing to make sure that your toothbrush reaches every corner of your mouth, including the teeth, gums and tongue.

2. Floss regularly

Use a floss to clean the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gemlike, which are not reachable by toothbrush.

If you find it hard to handle floss properly, use interdental cleaners, like special wooden or plastic picks, as an alternative.

3. Use mouthwash

Cosmetic and therapeutic mouthwash can help freshen your breath, especially after eating food or drinking liquids that have a strong smell.

Take note, however, that the effect of mouthwash is temporary and rinsing doesn’t treat the root cause of bad breath.

4. Take probiotics

Bad breath is often caused by poor digestion, which can be solved by cleaning out your gut to flush the toxins and bad bacteria away.

Fermented food, like yoghurt and kimchi, can help your digestive tract and smooth your digestion.

5. Eat food that are rich in vitamins and minerals

Get enough fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet, which are good sources of vitamins and minerals that promote optimal oral health.

Limit consumption of candies and other sweets, which contain too much sugar.

The bacteria in your mouth converts the sugar to acid, which attacks your teeth’s enamel, leading to cavities and tooth decay.

6. Prevent teeth discolouration

Some people have naturally yellowish teeth, but this is not an excuse to ignore unnatural teeth discolouration that is caused by poor dental hygiene and regular consumption of teeth-staining beverages, like tea, coffee and wine.

You can use over-the-counter products, like bleach and whitening strips, to remove the stain and whiten your teeth.

The safest way, however, is to let your dentist do the job.

7. Visit your dentist regularly

Schedule dental checkups every six months but more often than that if you have dental problems.

During a routine checkup, the dentist usually checks your teeth for cavities, signs of decay and gum problems.

Your dentist or dental hygienist may also remove plaque build-up through oral prophylaxis (teeth cleaning).

 

This story was originally published in AsiaOne.com. For more stories like this, head to www.asiaone.com/women.