On the lighter side!

Every new year, people resolve to improve their overall health, and often this starts with a trip to the health club - well don't leave your teeth out!

Here are some additional shortcuts and quick solutions to improve oral health they may seem silly but they do work!

• H2O to the rescue!
  Don't have time to brush? Rinse your mouth with water, it neutralizes acids and reduces bacteria by 30 percent.
   
• Grasp at straws!
  Using a straw when drinking coffee or tea prevents the liquid from touching and staining the front tooth surfaces.
   
• Tune in and turn on.
  People don't brush long enough to get the best results. Brush for the length of one song (two to three minutes), which is the right amount of time to get the best results from brushing.
   
• Change your toothbrush every three months.
  Why? It improves the plaque removal technique. Frayed bristles do not clean teeth very well. Sick? Toss your current toothbrush more frequently since the bacteria and viruses will remain on the toothbrush and can serve to lengthen your illness.
   
• Nix the hot coffee and ice cream combo.
  Switching from one temperature extreme to the other can cause teeth to expand and contract, causing hairline cracks to develop.
   
• Lose the death grip.
  Gripping a toothbrush with the palm and applying heavy pressure to teeth can cause receding and inflamed gums, and erode dental enamel.
   
• Get married.
  Couples often possess similar dental habits. A person in good oral health is 5.4 times more likely to have a comparable partner. People tend to select spouses with some parallel dental behaviour.
   
• Travel-sized floss.
  Paul recommends small floss containers that you can carry in a purse or pocket when travelling. Keep an extra one in the glove compartment of your car.
   
• Chew sugarless gum.
  Chewing gum can triple the regular amount of saliva, which is nature's buffer against cavities. It also helps reduce bad breath.
   
• Clean your tongue.
  Research shows 85 percent of bad breath originates from the mouth and the tongue. In addition to tongue scrapers, you can also use a spoon to scrape away the bad breath bacteria

These easy-to-remember tips can improve oral health, but do not serve as a substitute for a routine oral hygiene regime.