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Take
Care Of Your Smile
The
American Academy Of General Dentistry says four out
of 10 people say a person's smile is the first thing
they notice about someone, so here are some top tips
for keeping your teeth healthy.
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1.
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Brush
your teeth for at least two minutes. If you
don't have a clock in your bathroom, two minutes
is how long it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
Also, be sure you brush often. Dr. Paul Schwedfeger,
DDS, advised, "Rule of thumb: twice a day. Three
times a day is better." |
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2.
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Reduce the amount of regular soda you drink.
It erodes teeth over time. |
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3.
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Brush
carefully after having food or drink that stains
your teeth. Some of the worst offenders are
red wine, coffee, and tea. "Tea is the worst," Dr.
Schwedfeger said. "[In summer] we see an awful lot
of stains from iced tea." |
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4.
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Don't
use your teeth as a tool to rip open boxes, bags,
or bottles. That can damage teeth and fillings.
"I can't tell you how many people use their teeth
like wrenches to strip wires. [That sort of thing]
chips the edges of the teeth, which contributes
to a less-than-desirable smile." |
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5.
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Check
how long you've had your smile supplies. Toothbrushes
should be replaced at least every three months.
If you really want to go all out, Dr. Schwedfeger
said, get an electric toothbrush. Some now come
with timers, which shut off after the appropriate
amount of time. |
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