Protect your teeth by starting with the 'small things'!

Every day we rely on teeth to chew food, but if we don't pay attention to protecting them, oral problems will follow over time, such as bad breath, toothache, tooth decay, etc. In severe cases, the damaged teeth may even need to be removed. Therefore, ensuring the health of teeth is really a major issue that cannot be ignored! How can we protect our teeth? Let's read today's science story!

"Xinxin, the kindergarten wants to check your teeth. You have to be brave." The mother said while looking at the group message sent by the kindergarten teacher.

"I'm fine, why do I need to check my teeth?" Xinxin asked in confusion.

"You need to check your teeth regularly to see if you have any caries. During this checkup, you will also have your teeth coated with fluoride." Mom put down her phone and held Xinxin on her lap. "It's just a check of your teeth. It doesn't hurt. Don't worry. If you have caries, you can get treatment right away."

"What is tooth decay?" Xinxin asked.

"Dental caries is tooth decay or tooth decay. It is a decayed tooth. It is classified into different levels according to the severity and has different treatment methods." The mother replied, "So in order to prevent the occurrence of dental caries, it is very important to protect your teeth!"

"Mom, I brush my teeth every day to protect them, right?" Xinxin asked.

"Yes, brushing teeth is a way to protect teeth, but there are also many things to pay attention to when brushing teeth," said the mother with a smile.

"Oh? Mom, tell me about it!" Xinxin said.

"First, choose a toothbrush. Toothbrushes with bristles that are too hard or too soft are not good for our teeth. Toothbrushes that are too hard can easily damage the surface of the teeth, while too soft toothbrushes can't clean them cleanly. So, you should choose a toothbrush that can clean your teeth cleanly without making your gums uncomfortable." The mother explained, "And toothbrushes should be replaced regularly. Toothbrush heads that have been used for too long will breed bacteria, and the bristles on the brush head will no longer be suitable for brushing teeth."

"Oh, so this is the reason why my mother changed the brush head of my electric toothbrush." ​​Xinxin nodded to show that she understood.

"Yes, the next step is to choose toothpaste. We usually choose toothpaste containing fluoride. If you have other oral diseases, you should choose medicated toothpaste according to the guidance of the dentist." Mom continued, "You must remember that although we all use fluoride toothpaste, the fluoride content of the toothpaste used by mom and dad will be higher than that of the toothpaste you use, so it is best not to mix them."

"I understand. After choosing the toothbrush and toothpaste, it's time to brush your teeth!" Xinxin nodded again.

"Well, if you want to keep your teeth healthy, it's best to brush your teeth after every meal to prevent food residue from being left in the gaps between your teeth. You should also rinse your mouth as much as possible when it's inconvenient. And it's best not to eat after brushing your teeth before going to bed." Mom asked Xinxin, "Do you remember the brushing nursery rhyme that Mom taught you?"

"Remember, hold the small toothbrush in your hand, open your little mouth, and use a little force to brush the toothbrush. Brush the upper teeth downwards, brush the lower teeth upwards, brush inside and outside, and make the teeth sparkle!" Xinxin clapped her hands and recited the nursery rhyme about brushing teeth.

"Xinxin is so amazing. She remembered everything." Mom stroked Xinxin's head gently and praised her with a smile.

"Mom, besides these, what else do we need to do to protect our teeth?" Xinxin asked.

"Yes. We also need to go to the hospital regularly to check our teeth and have them cleaned. The doctor will use professional equipment to observe our teeth to see if there are any caries. If there are mild caries, it is better to deal with them early. It is painless and time-saving to cure the caries at this time. Sometimes, the doctor will also apply fluoride to the teeth, which is like putting a layer of protective clothing on the teeth, which can better protect our teeth." Mom replied, "In addition, the doctor will also check if there are any problems with the gums. If there is slight tartar, you can wash it by the way, so that our gums will be a healthy pink. By cleaning our teeth, we can keep our teeth clean, our breath fresh, and smile beautifully!"

"Mom, I understand. I will cooperate with the doctor and have a thorough examination." Xinxin nodded and smiled.

【Knowledge Card】How to protect your teeth?

We eat with our teeth every day. If we don't take good care of our teeth, we will suffer from bad breath, toothache, and dental diseases in the long run, and we may eventually have to remove bad teeth. Therefore, it is very important to protect the health of our teeth. The most direct way to protect your teeth is to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste and brush your teeth carefully every day. In addition, you also need to go to the hospital regularly for dental checkups and tooth cleaning, and timely treatment and keep your teeth and gums healthy.