I would liken teeth to jewellery.
You take care of it, you wear it out, you keep it clean, you polish it, you don’t let it sit in anything corrosive or let it get tarnished.
Teeth are a lot like that.
Except that teeth are immeasurably more precious than jewellery.
A phrase once came to me: “Teeth are the most precious jewellery you will ever own.”
Teeth are, by design, meant to last a very, very long time.
They are some of the most stunning examples of workmanship you will ever see.
If you’ve ever seen the microscopic structure of enamel rod crystals, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
The finesse and fineness of intricate detail is truly awe-inspiring.
I never tire of marveling at it.
In light of these things, I hope to share some tips for caring for your teeth and gums, that I have learnt along the way.
1. BRUSHING WITH A SMALLER TOOTHBRUSH
I’ve found that using a smaller toothbrush head – e.g. a child’s size toothbrush, can help you to brush around the backs of your very last molars, especially your upper molars which are typically harder to reach.
It also allows you to brush each tooth surface & along the gum line with a bit more control and detail, compared with a larger toothbrush head.
2. FLOSSING AFTER SNACKS
It might sound strange, but if you’ve had areas between teeth that once showed early signs of decay (without forming a cavity), or if you’ve had fillings placed between teeth, it’s even more important to be vigilant in cleaning those areas. Flossing these target areas after snacking, may help prevent further decay progression, or even extend the life of your fillings.
3. INTERDENTAL BRUSHES
These are one of my favourites. Interdental brushes primarily help to brush and clean the gum spaces between your teeth, especially the larger gaps between your molars and premolars.
If you’ve ever had anything stuck in your gums, you’ll know what a relief it is to be able to brush it out with one of these. Dipping the bristles in salty water can also help heal any gum irritation.
Interdental brushes come in a variety of sizes and can be washed and reused after use. I like to run just-boiled water over the bristles, or let them sit in 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide. They can be replaced if they look worn or if you prefer to replace them more regularly.
A must-have, in my opinion.
4. TONGUE SCRAPING
Tongue scraping involves using a tongue scraper along the top of your tongue, to help remove bad bacteria and debris. They’re super easy to use, and can be used morning and night. After using your tongue scraper, rinse it clean with soapy water, then wipe it dry with a tissue.
5. XYLITOL CHEWING GUM & MINTS
Xylitol chewing gum or mints are useful if you don’t have time to brush or floss, and can help stimulate saliva which neutralises acidic pH. I would recommend aspartame-free chewing gum and limit chewing to 10 minutes or less, as you don’t want to overstimulate your stomach or your jaw muscles.
Just a note, xylitol is toxic to dogs, so keep it safely stored.
More information on xylitol can be found here.
6. OIL PULLING
Oil pulling is an ancient technique, that involves gently swishing oil (such as coconut oil) in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. It’s actually very calming and soothing, especially at the end of the day, or in the morning.
It’s easy enough to make at home. You can use straight unrefined coconut oil (which is normally solid at room temperature but melts in your mouth), or untoasted sesame oil. More information can be found here. Be sure sure to spit the oil out into the rubbish bin and not down the sink, as it will clog the drain.
7. UNSWEETENED YOGHURT
Unsweetened yoghurt contains mouth-friendly probiotics, and can be a great snack throughout the day. I personally prefer unsweetened coconut yoghurt, as it’s lactose free, but there are other low-lactose or lactose-free options available here in New Zealand.