Having a beautiful smile isn’t just about brushing before bed. There is a wide range of environmental factors that make a difference in your dental health, and minor adjustments to your daily habits can make for a much healthier mouth.
If you’ve been looking for a dental routine that you can keep for life, we have you covered. Try these tips for tip-top teeth and gums.
1. Fall for Flouride
What do you consider when comparing toothpaste and other dental products? Many of our patients look for whitening, sensitive tooth protection, or a minty-fresh flavor. Yet we don’t often hear patients professing their love for fluoride.
This mineral may not be on the top of your dental “Do’s,” but it should be. When you buy toothpaste and mouthwash, check the ingredients list for fluoride, which prevents tooth decay and cavities. Your kid’s toothpaste should include it, too.
2. Don’t Forget to Floss
Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from areas your toothbrush just can’t reach. Clearing the debris between your teeth prevents bad breath and swollen and sore gums caused by bacteria.
If you want to start a flossing routine, don’t give up if your gums bleed. It will happen less frequently as your gum’s health improves. When you commit to flossing, you’re committing to keeping your teeth and gums healthier and cleaner.
3. Replace Sugary Snacks with Mouth-Friendly Foods
Do you know why sugar causes dental decay? Not only does this sweet carbohydrate give plaque a surface to attach to on your teeth, but it makes your mouth acidic by dropping the pH level. It takes 20 minutes after you eat sugar for your mouth’s pH to return to normal levels, while acid wears away your enamel.
By limiting sugary candies and replacing sweets with healthier options, you can easily improve your oral health. For snack time, consider options that don’t cause pH imbalances and help brush away plaque and bacteria, such as:
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Plain Yogurt
- Carrots
- Celery
- Apples
- Hummus
4. Sip on Water Instead of Sodas or Other Sugary Drinks
Drinks are the top source of extra sugar in American’s diets. Juice with added sugar, soda, sweetened coffee, and sports drinks are not the best options for your bicuspids. If you’re regularly sipping on these beverages, consider replacing them with water. Water is refreshing and hydrates you in addition to being better for your smile.
5. Be Gentle on Your Teeth When You Brush
Harder is not better when you’re brushing. Treat your teeth gently with a soft-bristled brush to reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent enamel and gum damage.
6. Brush Your Tongue
Brushing your tongue may seem funny, but gently scrubbing that large muscle in your mouth when you brush your teeth prevents bad breath. As gross as it sounds, your tongue is like a sponge for bacteria. Everything you eat or drink passes over it, and leftover food particles can get stuck. Brushing your tongue unlodges that bacteria to keep your mouth cleaner and fresher.
7. Visit Us Twice A Year
While you do a lot of the heavy lifting to keep your mouth clean, a healthy mouth isn’t just your job. Seeing a dentist for regular cleanings prevents a multitude of problems. Prevention is always easier and more cost-effective than treatment.
From spotting developing cavities to identifying gum disease, we are committed to keeping your smile as healthy and beautiful as possible.
Dive into Healthy Dental Habits
Which of these teeth-friendly habits do you already have? If you need to make some changes, start slowly. Even adopting one or two of these tips can make a big difference in your teeth and gums’ health.
Even the best dental routine can’t replace a regular dentist visit, so if you or your little ones are due for a cleaning, we’re here for you. Make an appointment today!
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