Many people suffer from a problem with tartar on their teeth. This substance builds up very fast, and eventually causes the teeth to become discolored by turning yellow. You can prevent this from happening by fighting tartar in several ways.
Brush Your Teeth Properly
You may be brushing your teeth, but are you doing it correctly? This means brushing twice every day for two minutes, covering each part of your mouth equally. Just moving the toothbrush around for 30 seconds isn't enough if you want to fight tartar.
Another problem that can prevent tartar from being removed is when an excessive amount of force is used. This doesn't help with removing the tartar and better than soft brushing, while also causing damage to the protective layer of enamel. Consider switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent you from doing this.
You can also start brushing with a toothpaste that uses antibacterial agents, such as triclosan. These agents help reduce the tartar that builds up in the mouth and can actually prevent new tartar from forming.
Chew Sugarless Gum
If you want to keep your teeth clean after meals, you can do so by chewing sugarless gum. It will help remove those food particles that are stuck on your teeth and would otherwise be removed with a toothbrush. Make it a habit to keep some sugarless gum on hand to chew after having a meal on the go.
Want to make an even bigger impact on fighting tartar? Chew gum that uses xylitol as its sweetener. It has antibacterial agents in it that help fight the tartar while you are chewing.
Use Mouthwash
Consider incorporating mouthwash into your brushing routine. Be sure to use a mouthwash that uses chlorhexidine to fight off bacteria that can cause tartar and avoid any mouthwashes that use alcohol. The alcohol may make your mouth feel clean, but it actually dries out your mouth and makes it easier for bacteria to form.
Quit Smoking
If you are currently a smoker, know that this habit is causing more tartar to accumulate on your teeth. While it is a hard habit to break, it can help with many oral health benefits in the end in addition to fighting tartar.
Want to know what else you could be doing to fight tartar? Be sure to ask your dentist during your next cleaning. They'll let you know their advice for the best way to deal with your tartar problem. For more information, contact your local dental office today.
Share19 February 2019
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