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

Most people feel their best beauty feature is a beautiful smile with pearly white teeth. While sparkling white teeth are great, good dental health is even more important. Use the information in this article to learn how to keep your teeth, gums and entire mouth healthy so your teeth will be beautiful for years.
Flossing helps remove plaque on and around your gum line and should be performed at least twice daily. When flossing, gently work the dental floss up and down between each tooth. Do not subjugate your gums to harsh flossing procedures; instead, use a gentle hand and waxed dental floss to help protect your gums.
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.
Do you have bad breath? You should clean your tongue more regularly. Invest in some tongue scrapers and use them after each meal to remove bacterias from your tongue. Rinsing your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouth wash can help too. If the problem persists, go to your dentist to find out what is causing your bad breath.
Consider asking your regular dentist about dental sealants. Sometimes brushing just isn't enough. A dental sealant is a protective coating that goes over the portions of your teeth used to chew food. These are often put over back molars and can be very helpful in the prevention of tooth decay.
In order to keep your teeth in good shape, you need to brush twice a day rather than just once. Brush first thing in the morning to wash away bacteria that accumulates overnight. In the evening, brush your teeth again to remove all food particles.
If you notice an increase in cavities, consider taking a multivitamin. Multivitamins contain many vitamins and minerals necessary for enamel production. Enamel is the outer layer that hardens your teeth and protects them. Your diet should include a variety of sources of calcium, which is the building block of healthy teeth.
Don't assume that just because oranges and orange juice are touted as healthy for your body that they are healthy for your mouth. The acidic nature of this and related foods start wearing down on your enamel immediately. You can have them, but brush immediately after consuming anything involving heavy concentrations of oranges.
When someone close to you has poor dental care habits, it can be an uncomfortable topic to bring up. A great way to drop hints is to tell your friend about a great new toothpaste you are using. You can pick them up whitening strips and tell them you got a deal on buy one get one free. They will be touched that you thought of them, rather than insulted.
Are you wanting to keep you teeth in tip-top shape? One simple tips that will help you with this goal is using some apple cider vinegar. Each morning, gargle with the apple cider vinegar. After you have finished gargling, brush your teeth. Not only will Porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry which resides within your mouth, it will also help whiten your smile by erasing stains that discolor the enamel of your teeth.
Make your own toothpaste. It is very simple to do this. Simply take a bit of baking soda and mix it with a bit of water. Use the paste to brush your teeth, and then rinse your mouth completely. This is a cheaper way to get your teeth clean, and works almost as well.
Eat healthy fruits and vegetables to help keep teeth cleaned naturally. The natural abrasive qualities of fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, help to break down and remove sticky plaque from teeth and gum lines. In addition to eating healthier snacks, you will be taking steps to keep your teeth looking their best.
We have saliva in our mouths to keep ourselves healthy, specifically stopping both tooth decay and even gum disease. Not having enough saliva can lead to huge problems. Dry mouth is a symptom of some diseases or a side effect which comes with prescription medications. Thankfully, there are many different products which can help.
Bleeding gums are a sign that something is wrong. Your gums should never bleed when you brush your teeth. If you experience bleeding gums, you should schedule an appointment to see your dentist. The number one cause for bleeding gums is periodontal disease. The dentist will prescribe a treatment plan.
A combination of regular dental visits and simple hygiene habits goes a long way in promoting good oral health. Do it for yourself, or do it for your dentist. Either way, you can be certain that your efforts will pay off in more ways than one. Now that's something to smile about!