Dental prophylaxis: The basis for healthy and beautiful teeth

Most people want a radiant smile with beautiful teeth. Whether the appearance of your teeth satisfies you depends to a large extent on yourself. Conscientious dental prophylaxis is the be-all and end-all when it comes to beautiful and healthy teeth.

Basically, dental prophylaxis includes all measures to maintain dental health. This includes dental prophylaxis at home on the one hand and dental prophylaxis at the dentist on the other.

Dental prophylaxis at home

Dental prophylaxis at home takes place every day. This includes:

Thorough and regular dental care

Brushing teeth at least twice a day using a proven brushing technique (for example, the BASS technique).

Cleaning the interdental spaces with dental floss or interdental brushes at least once a day.

Clean the tongue with a tongue cleaner at least once a day, because many bacteria can accumulate on the tongue.

Use a fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride is effective in preventing tooth decay. Additionally, a fluoride gel can be applied weekly.

Antibacterial mouthwashes can supplement daily oral hygiene because they rinse and clean areas unreachable by a toothbrush.

A healthy diet

In addition, you should sharpen your focus on a tooth-healthy diet.

Here are a few tips:

Calcium is an important nutrient that makes teeth and bones strong and keeps them healthy. Foods rich in calcium include milk and dairy products. Green vegetables such as kale, fennel, spinach and broccoli, and herbs such as chives are also considered good sources of calcium, as are legumes and nuts.

Eating whole grains and raw vegetables requires more intensive chewing. This stimulates saliva production. This is good because more saliva is better at rinsing food particles from the teeth. In addition, saliva neutralizes acids produced by the digestive process that attack tooth enamel. Chewing sugar-free dental gum after meals also stimulates saliva production.

A tooth-healthy diet is as low in sugar as possible. Whether table sugar, fructose or syrup, all sugars are harmful to teeth because tooth decay bacteria use any sugar to form harmful acids. Acids can also enter the mouth directly through fruit juices, for example, and promote tooth enamel degradation. It is therefore best to avoid sugar and acids as far as possible.

Dental prophylaxis at the dentist

In addition to dental prophylaxis at home, comprehensive dental prophylaxis also includes dental prophylaxis at the dentist.

It is recommended to have your teeth checked by a dentist twice a year. During the so-called check-ups, the condition of the teeth and gums is checked. Dental diseases such as caries or gingivitis are detected early and can be treated properly. Sometimes this can even be done without drilling. The costs are covered by the health insurance.

It also makes sense to have your teeth professionally cleaned two or three times a year. Professional dental cleanings prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. Tartar and other plaque are thoroughly removed.

In addition, tooth discoloration caused by coffee, tea or red wine is reliably removed. The natural whiteness of the teeth emerges and invites a radiant smile.

However, the cost of professional dental cleaning usually has to be paid out of pocket.