I had the funniest conversation with my closest girls about always smelling good, people's natural scents and well - nasty body odors. As much as I want to impose equality, I have to agree that girls are ALWAYS expected to smell good compared to boys. Of course it's no excuse for boys to put their guards (and deodorants) down, but somehow, their athletic activities and abundant sweat glands give them a bit of a leeway to occasionally smell otherwise. Girls do not have any excuse.
Fortunately, this is not the case for oral care. Boys, girls, young and old, we are all expected to always mind our breath. Being social beings, it is a must to ensure that we have fresh breath whenever we talk to people, which means all the time! My friends and I agreed that it's a social responsibility, and we even made a pact to be honest with each other and with people around us in an effort to promote healthy mouths and fresh breath all around! :)
In view of this, here are 12 things you should know about oral care:
1. The perfect angle to tilt your toothbrush is 45 degrees for that optimal reach. To properly brush your teeth tilt the brush at a 45° angle against the gumline and sweep or roll the brush away from the gumline by using short strokes. Gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth using short back-and-forth strokes. Gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath. Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that's right, 120 seconds! FACT: Most adults do not come close to brushing that long.
2. The ideal length of floss to use is 20 inches. Ideally, floss should be waxed. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks in between teeth and below the gumline, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Waxed floss allows the floss to glide along your gums.
3. Three months is the ideal lifespan of a toothbrush. Clinical research shows that a new toothbrush can remove more plaque than one that's worn out, ensuring that your brush is working its hardest to help keep your teeth clean and healthy. That's because, no matter what type of toothbrush you use, its bristles can become frayed and worn and may lose their effectiveness.
4. A healthy gum is pink in color and does not bleed when brushing or flossing. If you experience bleeding gums often, visit your dentist as this may be a sign of oral problem.
5. There are 500-650 types of bacteria species living in the oral cavity, one of the main reasons for having bad breath.Over 500 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the human mouth, though most people are only host to 34 to 72 different varieties. Most of these bacterial species appear to be harmless when it comes to our health. Other bacteria actually protect our teeth and gums. There are some bacteria, however, that we'd rather do without, since they cause tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.
6. Mouthwash takes care of the spaces inside the mouth that your toothbrush cannot reach. A mouthwash with fluoride will help reduce cavities and periodontal disease.
7. There are two kinds of tooth stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, and routine wear and tear. Superficial extrinsic stains are minor and can be removed with brushing and prophylactic dental cleaning. Stubborn extrinsic stains can be removed with more involved efforts, like teeth bleaching. Persistent extrinsic stains can penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained if they are not dealt with early. Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals (like tetracycline) during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride.
8. We need to use a tongue cleaner. A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. Using a tongue cleaner will ensure a cleaner, healthier mouth.
9. Oral Health is linked to systemic health. Did you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health— or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body?
10. Canine teeth are the cornerstones of the mouth. Known as the strongest teeth, the canine teeth are also responsible for keeping the face shape intact. Most common action of the canines is tearingof food. The canine teeth are able to withstand the tremendous lateral pressures from chewing. There is a single cusp on canines, and they resemble the grasping teeth found in carnivorous animals.
11. Tooth Sensitivity is triggered by food, drinks, air and touch.This problem often happens when gums recede. The gum tissue acts like a protective blanket to cover the roots of the teeth. As the gums recede the underlying tooth roots are exposed. They are not covered by hard enamel. Think of your gums and the enamel on your teeth as a down comforter covering and protecting your body from the cool winter air. Over time, the gums may recede or the enamel or dentin on your teeth may wear down, creating the condition for tooth sensitivity. Thousands of tiny dentinal tubules (channels) leading to the tooth's nerve center (pulp) are than exposed. These tubules allow more stimuli like heat, cold or pressure to reach the nerve in the tooth and you feel pain.
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12. Visit your dentist at least twice a year. You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, thoughthey may recommend more frequent visits. Regular dental exams and cleaningvisits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health like stains, crooked teeth, cause of bad breath and other mouth problems.
Much Love,
Dang
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