10 Tips to Protect Your Teeth

1. Brush Correctly
   • Brush your teeth for 3 minutes
   • When you brush, position the head of the toothbrush toward your gums at a 45 degree angle. Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
2. Eat teeth damaging foods sparingly
   • Popcorn kernels, frozen candy bars, and ice cubes can crack your teeth
   • Carbonated drinks erode tooth enamel
   • Coffee and tea stain your teeth
3. Floss daily
4. Use an electronic toothbrush
5. Use your teeth only for chewing food
   • Cracking nut shells, chewing pen caps and tearing off clothing tags can crack enamel, dislodge fillings or loosen teeth
6. Don't smoke
   • Smokers are 4 times more likely to develop gum disease than non smokers
7. Don't clinch or grind teeth
   • The pressure from clinching or grinding can add an additional 250 pounds of pressure per square inch of teeth.
   • Clinching and grinding causes premature receding of gums and accelerates gum disease
8. Know the side effects of Medicines
• Side effects of some medicines indirectly affect your dental health
9. Don't ignore other health problems
   • Some stomach conditions like gastrointestinal reflux disease can erode tooth enamel
10. Exercise Cautiously
    • If necessary, wear a mouth guard to protect teeth
11. See a dentist twice a year
    • A dentist can help you detect dental problems and fix them before they get worse.

Share

Mama wants to help

Resources for free food Domestic violence hotline Free and low rent housing Adult daycare Holiday resources Share your story. We will listen.