Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

The first people noticed in a crowded room are those with the brightest smiles. If for whatever reason, you're teeth have looked a bit stained lately, have no fear! The following article is full of helpful tips and tricks to get your teeth looking brighter than they ever were before.
If you detect any blood when you brush your teeth, call your dentist or a periodontist for an appointment. Gums that bleed may mean you have gum disease, and this can cause you a lot of problems if you don't treat it. Prevent yourself from infections, bone and tooth loss and other diseases by stopping gum disease in its tracks.
Take care of your toothbrush. After you finish cleaning your teeth, make sure you clean your toothbrush, too. Simply wash it off with water and place it in a toothbrush holder so that it is standing up. Putting your toothbrush in a case is not advisable, because bacteria is more likely to grow that way.
Always use toothpaste that contains fluoride. There are very few toothpastes available that do not contain fluoride, but some of the newer organic toothpastes do not. Fluoride is essential for strong and healthy teeth. So if you want to use an organic toothpaste that does not contain fluoride, use it after you brush with a fluoride toothpaste.
Brush your teeth on a schedule. Brush at least twice a day - following every meal if you can. You should brush your teeth for about 3 minutes and make sure you get all the surfaces of your teeth. Don't abuse your teeth by brushing too hard and be sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Floss your teeth carefully after brushing.
After you've completely brushed your teeth, brush your tongue too. All sorts of built-up gunk can develop on your tongue, and this can cause everything from bad breath to gum disease. A clean mouth means every surface, so brush your teeth and tongue and then floss for the best hygiene.
Sometimes in life we have to make decisions about our health. For example, we may want to eat right, but we don't have time for a healthy restaurant. Instead, we choose a salad at a fast-food joint. The same can be said of dental care - for example, mint floss is a great way to convince yourself to floss more often.
Make sure that the toothpaste you use contains fluoride. While there are natural toothpastes available that do not list this as an ingredient, they do not provide the level of protection fluoride does. You have a much higher chance of developing dental issues if you use one of these brands.
If you have missing teeth, you may be thinking about dentures. Permanent constructions, however, are a much better choice as dentures only have about one-fifth of the strength of regular teeth. Permanent options such as bridges will keep your teeth strong and allow you to live a more comfortable life.
You can avoid a lot damages to your teeth if you quite drinking sodas. Most sodas contain extremely high amounts of sugar as well as harsh chemicals. Read the labels of the beverages you purchase and talk to your dentist about the effect of sodas and sweets on your teeth.
Make sure you take your children to the dentist at an early age. These initial visits will set the stage for the rest of their life, and you want them to view visiting the dentist as an important bi-yearly event. You can start taking your child to see the dentist when they have teeth, and their pediatrician should be able to make a referral to get the process started.
When it comes to proper teeth maintenance, it isn't just about brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist. Instead, you must make some serious changes to your life in order to attain healthy teeth and a shiny, white smile. Food, drink and tobacco products that can lead to teeth staining should be avoided.
To avoid serious and possible permanent damage to your teeth, never use them for any activity other than chewing the food that you eat. You run the risk of chipping or cracking your teeth whenever you use your teeth to open a package, pull something that is stuck or crack open nutshells.
Smoking and chewing tobacco are both detrimental to oral health. They not only contribute to damaged teeth and gums, they also may cause oral cancer. Smokers and tobacco users should consult their dentist immediately if they notice any sores or ulcers in their mouth.
To counteract the stains that such habits as drinking red wine, smoking, and consuming a lot of coffee can leave on your teeth, consider using whitening strips. Although they are somewhat expensive and require lengthy applications, they can undo much of the discoloration that you are bringing to your teeth.
Would you like to have lighter teeth? Due to the large variety of dentist sites out there, knowing which is the right one can be tough. Use what you have read here to make the best choices when it comes to oral care.