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10 Tips to Protect Your Teeth
1.
Brush Correctly
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Brush your teeth for 3 minutes
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When you brush, position the head of the toothbrush toward your gums at a 45 degree angle. Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
2.
Eat teeth damaging foods sparingly
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Popcorn kernels, frozen candy bars, and ice cubes can crack your teeth
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Carbonated drinks erode tooth enamel
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Coffee and tea stain your teeth
3.
Floss daily
4.
Use your teeth only for chewing food
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Cracking nut shells, chewing pen caps and tearing off clothing tags can crack enamel, dislodge fillings or loosen teeth
5.
Don't smoke
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Smokers are 4 times more likely to develop gum disease than non smokers
6.
Don't clinch or grind teeth
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The pressure from clinching or grinding can add an additional 250 pounds of pressure per square inch of teeth.
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Clinching and grinding causes premature receding of gums and accelerates gum disease
7.
Know the side effects of Medicines
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Side effects of some medicines indirectly affect your dental health
8.
Don't ignore other health problems
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Some stomach conditions like gastrointestinal reflux disease can erode tooth enamel
9.
Exercise Cautiously
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If necessary, wear a mouth guard to protect teeth
10.
See a dentist twice a year
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A dentist can help you detect dental problems and fix them before they get worse.
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