Healthy and white teeth

You surely know that there's nothing better than the feeling of freshness and cleanliness in your mouth after brushing your teeth and flossing. However, proper teeth cleaning gives you more than just a wonderful smile and fresh breath. It ensures that your teeth and gums remain healthy throughout your life. Many years ago, adults often lost their teeth. Nowadays, teeth are becoming increasingly resilient and healthier thanks to our care and regular dental check-ups. Often, teeth are lost due to accidents or fractures. Fracturing or chipping may result from mechanical damage or health issues.

Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects it from external factors. The formation of dental plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum diseases. Initially, enamel damage occurs, followed by tooth decay. Fighting dental plaque is essential for maintaining healthy, shiny teeth. The most important role is played by toothbrushes and toothpaste. Especially recommended are multi-tufted toothbrushes made of high-quality fibers. Dentists advise against using natural bristle brushes because each bristle has a canal where bacteria accumulate. It is best if the bristles are arranged in three rows and have different lengths, making it easier to clean the gaps between the teeth and massage the gums. The bristles can be serrated, allowing the longer tips to easily slide between the teeth.

In addition to brushing and using dental floss to help prevent this problem, diet also plays an important role. Sugars promote bacterial growth, and acids slowly dissolve enamel, causing tooth decay. Avoid snacking between meals. If you eat between meals, choose fruits, yogurts, or vegetables.

There are several types of tooth decay. Decay on the biting surface of the tooth occurs when dental plaque gets stuck in its grooves. It occurs most frequently in children because they often forget to clean these areas while brushing their teeth. Decay between teeth occurs when a larger amount of dental plaque accumulates in such hard-to-reach areas. It is difficult to reach these places with just a toothbrush, and decay can develop if you do not regularly use dental floss or clean the spaces between your teeth. Decay on the surface of the tooth root develops when the gums recede or bone loss occurs, often due to gum disease. This type of decay also occurs in older people as their gums recede. If dental plaque starts to accumulate on the exposed, unprotected enamel surfaces of the tooth root, cavities will quickly form in these areas.

Brushing your teeth should last at least 3 minutes. However, do not scrub them too hard as you may damage the enamel. Brush the chewing surfaces more vigorously to reach all the crevices and fissures. The most effective way to maintain oral hygiene is to brush your teeth after every meal. If this is not possible, brush at least twice a day, i.e., after breakfast and dinner. Throughout the day, rinse your mouth with water or a special mouthwash after every meal. Antimicrobial mouthwash solutions are available for oral hygiene. Using them ensures optimal pH in the mouth and prevents bacterial buildup. You can also chew gum containing xylitol or eat sugar-free candies and lozenges that promote dental care.

There are many good products that support oral hygiene. They combat harmful acids in dental calculus, prevent gum inflammation, and protect teeth from periodontal disease. They maintain optimal pH in the mouth and leave a long-lasting fresh breath. These include gum balms or various mouthwashes. They contain special substances that help with specific dental or oral problems. They can be purchased at drugstores, pharmacies, department stores, as well as dental offices.

Teeth whitening is a simple, safe, non-invasive procedure that improves the aesthetics of your teeth. The procedure involves removing pigmented substances from the tooth's surface and those that have penetrated deeper. The whitening substance is applied directly to the external surfaces of the teeth. The procedure can be performed in a dental office or at home. The best results are achieved when whitening yellow, orange, or light brown discolorations.

In the clinical assessment of an uncolored, healthy tooth, its color is the result of the combination of dentin and enamel color. Thus, the final color of discolored teeth is influenced by the combination of pigments and the tooth color specific to each individual. Tooth discoloration can be divided into extrinsic and intrinsic types. Discolorations assume the color of consumed beverages, such as coffee or tea, and can also be caused by the presence of metals such as nickel, iron, or copper. Tooth discoloration is the result of complex photochemical reactions associated with sunlight exposure. For this reason, labial surfaces of incisors tend to darken and acquire a gray or brown color more quickly, while molars remain yellow for a longer time.

It should also be noted that discoloration can also be caused by structural abnormalities. A typical condition causing abnormal enamel structure is fluorosis. Teeth are characterized by the presence of white spots. Whitening proves to be a very helpful treatment in this case, reducing the contrast between white and dark areas.

To take care of your teeth, plan two dental visits per year for a check-up with the dentist or hygienist. During the visit, the dentist will examine the condition of your teeth and gums and check for any visible changes. The dentist may recommend taking X-rays to ensure that everything is in order. They may also professionally clean your teeth to remove plaque accumulated on and below the gumline and polish your teeth to remove surface stains. Remember that your dentist or hygienist can provide expert advice on how to brush your teeth and use dental floss.