Hey! My name is Marley and this is my health advice blog. Maintaining your health is easy when you are young. However, as you get older, you may develop illnesses and disorders as a result of your lifestyle choices. When I hit the age of 50 years old, I suddenly realised that I had a lot of problems which I had been ignoring for a long time. I decided to visit my doctor and seek help. Over the past year, I have worked closely with my doctor to improve my lifestyle and my health. I hope my blog inspires you to do the same.
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Marley's Health Advice
Must-Know Tips for Preventing Plaque
Grace Henderson
When you want to maintain excellent oral health, one of the first areas to address is plaque build-up. As a sticky film that builds on your teeth's surface, plaque houses the bacteria that lead to gum disease and tooth loss. Fortunately, keeping it at bay is easier than you may think.
Hold your toothbrush at the right angle
While most people know that brushing your teeth twice a day is central to reducing plaque, not everyone is aware of which techniques to use. Holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle moving away from your gums scrapes bacteria away from the areas they're most likely to infiltrate. As well as sticking to the two minutes of brushing rule, make sure you divide those minutes evenly across your mouth. To make this easier, allocate 30 seconds to each quarter. Setting a timer on your phone is a simple way to take the right approach.
Don't rinse away your toothpaste after brushing
Although it's tempting to rinse away your toothpaste after brushing, doing so reduces the amount of fluoride that remains in your mouth. There's some evidence to suggest that low levels of fluoride in your mouth can interfere with bacterial metabolism, which could make plaque less harmful. If you find that not rinsing away your toothpaste feels a little uncomfortable, consider talking to your dentist. They may recommend a different brand to the one you're usually using to maximise your comfort levels.
Vary the way you clean between your teeth
A key culprit in plaque formation is food of any kind. Although sugar is more likely to cause problems than other food types, leaving crumbs and debris to live in your mouth can encourage bacteria to breed. To prevent this becoming a problem, try cleaning between your teeth. Although flossing is popular, not everyone feels comfortable using it. Alternatives include dental picks, water flossers and small straight dental brushes. Once you find a method you feel comfortable with, add it onto the end of your usual brushing routine.
Maintain the right salivary balance
Did you know that most of the bacteria in your teeth are anaerobic? This means they thrive in areas where oxygen isn't present. As water contains oxygen molecules, drinking it steadily throughout the day is useful. Additionally, a consistent commitment to water helps your mouth produce the right amount of saliva. As a result, you're aiding your body in building its natural defence mechanisms against plaque.
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