Say Cheese!
Everyone wants to have a lovely smile, with sparkling white teeth and fresh breath. We also need strong healthy teeth to be able to chew our food and to speak properly. For the best smile and teeth that last a lifetime, brush your teeth, eat well and visit the dentist regularly.
The American Dental Association says it’s important to use toothpaste with fluoride (a natural mineral) as this helps to remove plaque. Plaque is the sticky film on teeth that causes tooth decay. You should brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, for about two minutes. You can use an egg timer to make sure you are brushing for long enough.
Brushing tips
Squeeze a blob of toothpaste about the size of a pea onto your toothbrush. Brush your teeth in front of a mirror so you can see that you are getting the brush into all the nooks and crannies. First brush the back of your teeth – that’s where most of the plaque is and it is also the area hardest to reach. You will need to tilt the brush to get behind the front teeth. Brush gently back and forth and up and down. Then do the same for the front of your teeth, making sure you reach the gum line.
Last, brush the chewing surface of your teeth. Remember, there is no need to brush too hard. Then spit out the toothpaste and rinse your mouth with a little bit of water. Don’t forget to clean your toothbrush under running water and stand it up so that it can dry in the air. You should get a new toothbrush every three to four months.
It’s a good idea to use dental floss every day to remove plaque from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Your dentist can show you how to do this properly. You hold a piece of floss stretched between your two hands and move the floss gently in-between the teeth to get rid of the plaque.
Visit your dentist regularly; he or she will let you know how often you should go. The dentist will check that your teeth are healthy and will give you advice.
What you eat is also important. Starchy and sugary foods make acids that cause tooth decay. These are foods and drinks like cookies, candies, dried fruit, sodas, fruit juice and potato chips. So don’t have them too often. When you do have them, try to eat them with your meal instead of as a snack. The extra saliva (liquid) that your mouth makes during a meal will help rinse the food from your teeth.
The best snacks are fruit and raw vegetables. You could try oranges, bananas, carrot or cucumber sticks, toast and plain popcorn.
Your teeth are at most risk from plaque at night because there is less saliva in your mouth to protect them. So brush your teeth before bed and have water as a bedtime drink.
