How Winter Illnesses Affect Tooth Health
It's everyone's least favorite part about this time of year. No, not the cold weather; we're talking about the cold season. As the temperatures drop and the winter season sets...
Are you doing everything you can to build healthy teeth? Chances are, there are a few practices you could be adding to your daily activities that would result in improved oral health – even a few that you would never have suspected could be good for you. Plus: many of them are remarkably simple to adopt. Read on for a guide to a few surprising things you can do to see fewer cavities and hardier teeth.
Embracing Preventive Dentistry in Marrero
Preventive dental care involves a range of practices that keep problems from developing. By making sure that gum disease and decay never have a chance to arise, you avoid the damage that they could cause. This ends up saving you time, money, discomfort, and energy. Dr. Aubrey Baudean and his team will always provide you with the tools you need to keep your mouth disease-free. Whether you’re seeking general information, oral hygiene tips, or product recommendations, we can help you out. We’ll kick off your preventive dental education with the following tips.
Simple Ways to Improve Your Oral Health
- Chew sugar-free gum – You’ve probably heard a million things about whether or not chewing gum is bad for you – and for every reason under the sun. In reality, certain gum-chewing habits are actually healthy. If you choose to chew sugar-free gum after eating, that can actually remove food particles from your teeth and stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleanses and fights bacteria. Some types of gum, like gum containing xylitol, even have an antibacterial effect. Don’t overdo it on the chewing – if you have TMJ problems, make sure that you don’t aggravate your jaw joints.
- Rinse with water – Of course, we recommend that you brush after eating. But we understand that’s not always possible during the workday or at events. Something that you can do, no matter where you are, is rinse your mouth with water. This cleans acid and food particles from your teeth, keeping them clean.
- Relax before bedtime – This tip is related to an incredibly common problem known as bruxism, aka teeth grinding and clenching. Countless adults brux at night, many of them without realizing they have a problem. This leads to broken dental work, work teeth, and cracks and chips in natural enamel. Learning to relax before going to bed can help keep bruxing at bay. Try meditation, yoga, or another form of reflection. If you find that your jaw and teeth are sore in the morning, or you frequently awake with headaches, a night guard could be necessary.
- Snack on dairy and vegetables – Sure, you know that raw vegetables are a healthy snack. But did you know how effectively they manage to clean your teeth? They can actually act like stand-ins for toothbrushes. Dairy products have similarly beneficial effects, as their calcium helps strengthen enamel. Yogurt and cheese also help restore the mouth’s natural pH, neutralizing damaging acids.
- Floss before brushing – We realize that the natural tendency is to brush your teeth first, and floss as an afterthought. But giving flossing the first go can actually improve your hygiene’s effectiveness. Flossing first makes it possible for your fluoride toothpaste to better access the nooks and crannies between your teeth. Switch your brushing and flossing billing order to see results.
Interested in learning more about your daily dental upkeep? We’d be happy to give you more personalized tips that will kickstart your oral health improvements. Get in touch to talk to our team, and schedule your next dental exam today!
