Whether you still have all of your baby teeth, or you have a mix of baby teeth, permanent teeth, and a few empty spaces, taking care of your whole mouth is one of the most important jobs you’ll do every day. Your mouth is a pretty big deal, isn’t it? You need it to eat and drink, to talk, to laugh or smile, and to breathe! If you really think about it, you are using your mouth in some way every single minute of the day! Because it’s so important, we came up with some ways to help you keep your hard-working smile in tip-top shape.
Teeth Work Hard – Keep Them Clean
Taking care of your teeth is one of the best things you can do to keep your whole mouth healthy. Brush your teeth twice a day, every day, for 2 full minutes. We found some great videos to help you learn the best way to brush. You will also need to floss your teeth with dental floss once a day. If you use mouthwash, make sure you follow the directions from your parents or dentist. Swallowing mouthwash can make you sick – yuck! Just swish it around and then spit it all out into the sink.
Brushing and flossing helps remove all the germs that stick to your teeth throughout the day. These germs are called plaque, and if you don’t keep up with good dental habits, that plaque will get hard and start to cause problems. Show off your sparkling smile with clean and healthy teeth.
A Healthy Body Starts with a Healthy Mouth
Your body runs on fuel in the form of food and drink. The only way to get that fuel into your body is through your mouth. Not only do foods and drinks affect your teeth, but your body uses them to do its whole job every day. A big part of having a healthy mouth is eating and drinking things that are nutritious.
Water is the best thing you can drink, so make sure you get plenty of it! Try to skip juices and sugary drinks except for extra special treats. The sugar in these drinks turns to acid on your teeth. Your saliva helps to wash away that acid, but it can’t get it all if you have too much of it. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are a great treat for your teeth and your whole body! They give your teeth a good workout, get your saliva working to clean your mouth, and they have healthy vitamins that make the best kind of fuel for your body.
Healthy proteins and grains are other foods that make good fuel for your body, but these are foods that can sneak in between teeth when you are chewing. Remember when we mentioned flossing? Dental floss will help clean tiny bits of food out from between your teeth so that you get all the benefits and none of the trouble.
Preventing Teeth Problems
The best way to care for your mouth is to stop problems before they have a chance to start. First, make sure you visit the dentist for regular check-ups, and pay attention to any instructions he or she gives you about caring for your teeth. Another way to keep your teeth healthy is to never put anything in your mouth that doesn’t belong. Whether it’s your fingernails, toys, keys, or a friend’s finger, it doesn’t belong in your mouth! Breaking or losing a tooth because of an accident is painful, makes it harder to eat and talk, and can cause dental problems for years.
Make sure to always wear a helmet when riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards, and wear mouthguards whenever they are recommended for sports. Don’t use your teeth to tear open packages, or to hold items so you can use your hands. Being mindful of how you use your mouth will help you keep a healthy smile for your whole life.
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