How to Get Stronger Teeth and Gums

When you brush your teeth, you should be brushing for a minimum of two minutes.

Our mouths get a lot of traffic. We eat, talk or breathe 24 hours a day. Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, cavities and even oral cancer. A lot is said about teeth, but gums are often forgotten even though having strong teeth is pretty much pointless without healthy gums. Some of the best tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy were learned in kindergarten: Brush at least twice a day, floss and use mouthwash. As an adult, however, you must take these basic rules to the next level for the best results.

Instructions

1. Brush twice a day and floss properly. Everyone brushes their teeth, but many aren't doing it right or they fail to floss. Brush for a minimum of two minutes. Toothpaste with whitening agents will not make your teeth stronger. In fact, whitening agents slowly eat away the enamel on your teeth, making them weaker. It also wouldn't hurt to invest in an electric toothbrush, which operates on a timer and gets more revolutions per minute than you can achieve manually. Brushing and flossing should be a partnership. Flossing is not just about getting old food out of your teeth, but out of your gums as well. Cavities don't only come from having a sweet tooth, but also from old food — particularly breads and grains — turning into sugar deposits and attracting tooth-decaying bacteria.

2. Use mouthwash. Your mouth is full of germs and bacteria, including those that cause bad breath, gingivitis and plaque. In addition to brushing and flossing, you need a germ-fighting rinse to help with tartar and plaque buildup. Tartar and plaque also eat away at your enamel and create weak teeth. Tartar and plaque can also get in the gum line and cause gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that makes your gums bleed. If your gums are bleeding after you brush or floss, you need to improve your dental hygiene immediately. See a dentist if the bleeding gets worse or lasts for longer than a few days.

3. Replace your toothbrush regularly. Toothbrushes hold on to bacteria and become useless after a few months. When the bristles are bent and worn out, buy a new toothbrush or a replacement head if you use an electric brush.

4. Maintain a healthy diet. We are what we eat, so make good choices that won't harm your teeth. It is natural to indulge from time to time, but a steady diet of sugary foods will wreak havoc on your mouth, especially if you don't brush or floss regularly.

5. Visit your dentist. It's important to get a cleaning at least once every six months, in addition to whenever you experience unusual pain or discomfort.

References

• ToothandTeeth: How to Clean and Brush Your Teeth
• American Dental Association: Tooth Decay