Guide to Practicing Great Dental Care and What Foods to Avoid
Oral care requires establishing a practice that you follow consistently every day. Failing to keep up with a good dental care routine will leave your mouth exposed to more harmful bacteria. Even though age also plays a part in oral health, following a consistent pattern of care will help you protect your teeth and gum tissue for longer.
If you make sure to keep good upkeep of healthier food that is not harming your teeth, this will benefit you in consuming a better diet and longer health.
Dental care will also help you avoid more problems when it is time for your semi-annual dentist visit.
Brush and Floss Correctly
Brushing your teeth may be doing more harm than good if you’re not doing it correctly. To begin, you should floss before you brush because this will loosen food particles from between your teeth. When you do brush, use a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste with the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval. Be sure the toothpaste contains fluoride. As you brush, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and lightly touch the bristles to your teeth and gum tissue. In a circular motion, softly polish your teeth. Pressing too hard or using a firm-bristled brush will scrub away the tooth enamel, which is a protective coating that guards against bacteria. When you’re finished brushing, rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash. Rinsing with water will flush the fluoride before it has a chance to protect your mouth.
Know What Foods Harm Teeth
Sugar and carbs are especially harmful to your teeth and gum tissue, so you should limit your consumption of these substances as much as possible. The body breaks down carbs (potato chips, pasta, bread, etc.) into sugar, which later interacts with the bacteria in your mouth. Together, sugar and bacteria are from an acidic substance that eats away at the enamel on your teeth. As the enamel erodes, that acid will also attack the tooth itself. This is how cavities first start to form. If you do eat or drink sugary substances or consume more carbs, be sure to brush immediately afterward.
Additionally, avoid sticky foods for better oral care. The sticky nature of some foods, such as hard candy, will help sugar cling to your teeth and create a greater risk of tooth decay. To name off some of the worst foods for your teeth are sour candies, bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks, ice, citrus, potato chips, and dried fruits. Although all of these may not be completely avoidable foods in our diets it is important to be mindful of the amount we consume of it to protect our teeth.
Drink More Water
In addition to benefiting your physical health, water will help you keep your mouth cleaner and your breath fresher. When you drink water, it helps to flush sugar and bacteria out of your mouth. This will help you protect your teeth and gum tissue against disease when you can’t go brush your teeth on the spot.
Drinking more water will also reduce the amount of tartar that forms on your teeth between cleanings. Another way that drinking water protects your oral health is that it reduces the number of sugary drinks you’ll consume. Water helps you feel bloated, so you will not snack as frequently or look for sugary beverages to satisfy your thirst. Some tips to help you drink more water throughout the day is to substitute a glass of water with your meals instead of juice or soda. Also if you are out doing errands or going to work/school find a water bottle that is easy to carry around and take with you throughout the day to remember to keep drinking.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Once you find the best dentist in Cary NC to treat you, it’s important to schedule checkups with them every six months. A semi-annual checkup provides an opportunity for your dentist to look for early signs of tooth decay and gum disease. This will help you get less invasive treatment earlier. Your dentist will also look for signs of mouth and throat cancer to ensure those medical conditions can also be diagnosed early. The six-month checkup is also an opportunity for you to receive professional teeth cleaning. The instruments your dentist uses are more effective in removing plaque and tartar around the gum line. This gives you added protection against gum disease and tooth decay.
If you are unhappy with your smile, be sure to discuss your concerns with your dentist. There are many different procedures they can recommend to perfect your smile. While some procedures are purely cosmetic, others will also help to keep your teeth and gum tissue healthier. It is important to ask a lot of questions when at your dentist visits to make sure you have a clear understanding of what dental issues you may have or how to avoid having any in the future.
Conclusion
There are many things we must do throughout our day to main the health of our mouth and teeth. But if you slowly begin to incorporate these healthy habits into your daily lifestyle, over time it will feel like less work and it will begin to come naturally.
To conclude, it is important to schedule your semi-annual checkups with your dentist to keep an eye on any new cavities or if there are any other dental problems. Avoid sugary foods, drink a lot of water throughout the day, and substitute water instead of drinking carbonated drinks. Floss and brush your teeth every morning and night, also use the toothpaste that your dentist recommends to maintain good dental health and is the most effective.