Invest in your future by visiting the dentist regularly and making sure you have a great at-home oral health routine. Preventative dentistry is key to making sure your teeth, gums, and the rest of you stay healthy. Dental health is directly connected to your overall well-being and can impact your outlook on life.
Oral Health Tips
Brushing and flossing are essential when it comes to keeping your mouth healthy. Brushing should be a twice-daily occurrence and flossing should be completed at least once a day. Plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gums can lead to a series of health problems, so it is important to do your best to keep them at bay. What else can you do to help keep your teeth and gums in as good a shape as possible?
- Healthy Eating and Drinking – The saying “you are what you eat” rings true in that when you consume lots of sugary foods you are the cause of your sweet tooth issues. Sugars end up as acid that eats away at your tooth enamel, sometimes to the point of breaking down your gums. Sugars also cause cavities, which are the leading dental health concerns worldwide. Healthy eating nourishes your body and in turn, keeps your mouth happy.
- Some healthy foods to consume:
- Crunchy vegetables and fruits like carrots and pears are packed with important minerals and vitamins. The chewing required for crunchy foods helps clean your teeth naturally.
- Leafy greens like kale and spinach are rich in calcium helping to strengthen your bones both in your jaw and the rest of your body.
- Fibrous Fruits like apples are great for you because they increase salivation. Saliva helps clean your teeth and avoid a build-up of bad bacteria which often leads to cavities.
- Fatty fish is high in phosphorus, a mineral that safeguards the enamel of your teeth.
You may want to try making a smoothie out of some of these items. Getting your nutritional needs can be easy and tasty.
- Hydrate with Water – Drinking tap water containing a small amount of fluoride is an at-home preventative dentistry action that can help fight bacteria. The water helps clean out any food residue left in your teeth and the fluoride naturally makes your teeth stronger. Water keeps you from getting dehydrated which helps prevent a dry mouth. Your body needs saliva to aid in washing away plaque and tartar.
- Use fluoride toothpaste since, as mentioned above, it plays a role in keeping your enamel strong.
- Avoid Party Tricks – Actions like opening a bottle or can with your teeth or ripping open a package are likely to cause a dental incident like chipping or breaking your teeth. If the situation is dire enough and you lose a tooth, you could end up in an emergency dental situation.
- Store Your Toothbrush in a Safe Zone – Did you know a toothbrush out in the open can end up with feces on it if near the flush of a toilet? Yuck! Talk about a contaminated toothbrush. It is also easy to get a bacteria-infested toothbrush by simply throwing it in your luggage while heading out for vacation. Bags are dark, damp locations where bacteria thrive. Stop putting these germs in your mouth and start storing your toothbrush in a dry, closed container.
Remember This
Always keep up on your oral hygiene routine even when going away. Take essential items with you in your carry-on like a soft-bristled toothbrush, some dental floss, a mini toothpaste, and maybe even some mouthwash.
You should also schedule oral health services including a check-up and teeth cleaning before you leave for a trip. This will help you relax while away, without worrying about dental problems that may impede your time off work. Book your appointments in plenty of time in case you need to schedule treatments like a filling or a cap. This will ensure you are not in a panic the day before you leave.
Finally, when you are brushing your teeth, you should hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, adjacent to the gum line. Move the brush in small circles for a thorough, gentle cleaning. Remember, brush your tongue to avoid a nasty smell from your mouth.
A bacteria-free and fresh-scented mouth is the result of maintaining a healthy oral cavity. Savanna Market Dental is here to help you with preventative dentistry. When you take time to see a dentist you are making time for yourself, important time that matters for your health.
