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Healthy teeth are an important part of overall health, and your dental health is on display whenever you open your mouth to smile. Strong teeth give you the ability to eat all kinds of foods, which the body needs for good health. Many raw fruits and vegetables are crunchy, such as carrots, celery, and apples, and taking care of your dental health helps make sure that every tooth stays strong and able to bite and chew crunchy foods. Taking care of your teeth is a great way to make sure that they will stay strong throughout your life, so you’ll look good and feel good for a long time to come.
Why Healthy Teeth Are Important
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily helps prevent harmful plaque from developing on tooth surfaces. Plaque contains bacteria, and it’s a clear film that sticks to teeth. After you eat, bacteria in the mouth eat the sugars left behind, breaking it down into acids that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Over time, cavities will begin to develop, which you’ll need to have filled by a dentist. Plaque is also responsible for gingivitis, which is a type of gum disease. Left untreated, gingivitis will eventually lead to painfully red and swollen gums, which can make it hard to eat. Eventually, you can even lose your teeth.
Before Toothpaste
Today, we know how important it is to take care of your teeth and have regular dental visits. But generations ago, it was expected that people would lose their teeth at some point and have to get dentures. When teeth began causing problems, dentists simply pulled them out. The invention of toothpaste was an important event because it led to big changes in dentistry as people began being able to keep their teeth cleaner. Long, long ago, people used lemon juice, ashes, ground chalk, ground charcoal, or a mixture of tobacco and honey to scrub their teeth, but now, we have toothpaste instead, which tastes much better and works better, too.
Shortly after the invention of toothpaste, toothpaste tubes were invented, which made it easier to use toothpaste: People were able to just squeeze out a small bit onto their toothbrushes. At first, toothpaste tubes were made of metal, but eventually, they came to be made out of soft plastic for easier use. It wasn’t until during World War II that brushing teeth with toothpaste caught on and became popular. Soldiers in the U.S. Army were actually issued toothbrushes and toothpaste so they could brush their teeth, and they were urged to brush twice each day.
There are a lot of toothpaste options these days, so you can choose from a wide array of flavors and colors. Some toothpaste products are created for kids, while others are for adults. When you’re looking at your toothpaste options, always choose one that contains fluoride, which helps keep teeth strong to avoid cavities. You don’t need to use a lot of toothpaste for it to work: Squeeze out only a dollop that’s about the size of a pea to brush your teeth. And be careful not to swallow it.
Steps to Take for Healthy Teeth
To take care of your teeth, brush them at least two times each day. It’s even better if you can brush your teeth after every time you eat. Make sure you spend time brushing every tooth surface, including the teeth in the far back of your mouth. For best results, spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth, and use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Brushing your tongue is important for fresh breath, so do that, too. Floss your teeth at least once a day as well. Frequent brushing and flossing breaks down plaque. Also, be sure to visit the dentist as recommended, usually twice a year. The dentist will clean your teeth and check for signs of gum disease and cavities. And make sure that your diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables; avoid sugary foods and drinks.
Tooth Games and Facts
- Match Three
- Molar Madness
- Word-o-Rama
- Dental Jigsaw
- Dental Word Search
- Dental Sliding Puzzle
- Dental Audio Word Match
- Super Simple Songs (video)
- Sugar Bug Blast
- Dr. Teeth
- Inside Out Tooth Problems
- Sliding Puzzle Game
- Games and Activities for Dental Health Month
- Tooth Anatomy (PDF)
- Gum Disease
- Build a Mouth
- Tooth Fillings
- Smile Style Challenge
- Family Dentistry
- Rapunzel Rotten Teeth
Dental Specialties
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