INTRODUCTION

Do you teach your children to brush their teeth before or after breakfast? This question might sound a bit silly because the answer is so apparent. But is it Important? If children brush teeth before breakfast, they clear bacteria before fueling them with their next food. Besides, food could stay on teeth until lunch or even more longer. Also, if children brush teeth after breakfast, they will have clean teeth until they have the next meal. Teaching our younger about healthy teeth will reduce teeth problem in the future.

MY OWN EXPERIENCE

I have been photographed often in my career, mostly at events, or during my lectures. I don’t love it, but it’s part of my work/life so I had to accept it.
I recently had cosmetic dental surgery (April 2021) and it made a huge difference in how I feel now about smiling for photographers. I had my front gap closed in my early twenties, but still always had a small space in the front between my teeth near the gum line. I hated it but it also became a part of me and my dentists always told me it was nearly impossible to repair.

I remember talking to a man last year that I met a man who does very public work, he has won media awards, and I was with a group of people and he happened to be there. We got into the topic of working in television and I told him how so many people have encouraged me to do more video, even to pitch my ideas for design/lifestyle oriented shows, and to do television programs and he leaned over and whispered to me, “Well... first, you need to get your teeth fixed.”

I remembered freezing. Nigerians can be very straightforward I know, but seriously, that was harsh 🤦
Once I got home, I immediately ran to my mirror. I took lots of selfies. I took out photos taken of me over the years. I sat on my sofa thinking HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THIS? I thought he was a total jerk on one side but he was right.

Within few months I worked on my teeth. I had a new smile and 6 months with my new smile today and wow! I realize now why I only wanted to be photographed sideways and not straight on for so long…My teeth! I lived with my teeth for so long that I tried to forget the problem though subconsciously I knew which accounted a lot to my camera shyness. Anyway, a big thanks to that man , because he gave me a beautiful smile.

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TIPS ON HAVING A HEALTHY TEETH

Below are some of the tips I use for my teeth, with practical examples.

1. Use tooth powder:

It is a white and fresh tooth powder that naturally whitens your teeth, Freshens breath, and also eradicates all the toxins in your teeth. It is going to help remove tartars, stains, every coloration in you teeth, give you a healthy breath and also strong gums.This will give you that sparkling teeth and long lasting fresh breath you desire and get back your confidence.

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2. 1table spoon of baking soda + a pinch of salt:

Put this mixture on your toothbrush or add it to your toothpaste. Baking soda has an antibacterial effect and aids in teeth whitening.
Do not use this remedy more than once in a week.

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3. Rub orange peel over your teeth

Use it for 2-3 minutes or make a paste and apply it to your teeth. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water afterwards. You can always repeat it several times in a week.

after this, I rinsed my mouth with lukewarm water.

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4. Use of mouthwash:

I prefer to make a simple hygienic mouthwash at home by myself. It is simply and could be done in few minutes. All you need to make this mouthwash is "Salt and warm water".
1/4 table spoon of salt
A glass of water
Hold the mixture in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, rinse and pour. This is very helpful to our teeth and heals the gum quick.

Caution:
Salt is acidic and because of that you are not advised to use this remedy regularly.
Persons which illness, such as high blood pressure, are supposed to be very careful with this method or not use it at all.

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5. Use fresh Lemon juice

Dip your toothbrush in fresh lemon juice, gently rub it over the teeth. Leave it on for a minute. rinse your mouth with water. use this remedy not more than 3 times a week.
Lemon acids dissolve plaque and also helps to whiten the teeth.

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6. Visit to your dentist

While everyone loves that just-cleaned-teeth feeling, regular hygiene visits to your dentist are so much more than just a cleaning. With the use of x-rays to examine parts of your mouth below the surface. inspection for tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, and any teeth that may be in need of repair needs to be done. And yes, the teeth is cleaned, to get rid of tartar and plaque buildup that you cannot take care of on your own at home. Visit a dentist regularly.

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7. Replace your toothbrush every three months.

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8. Brush two to three times daily.

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9. Buy toothbrushes with soft bristles.