Dental problems can be painful, but they’re not hard to prevent. A little effort can go a long way in protecting the health of your teeth and gums. By following these simple tips, you can keep dental problems at bay and enjoy good oral health throughout your life.
Clean Your Teeth Regularly
- Use a soft toothbrush.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day and brush for at least two minutes each session to achieve the best results.
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush in circular motions, paying special attention to the gums and hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, like behind-the-back molars.
Eat Healthy Foods
One of the best things you can do for your teeth is to eat healthy foods. Your diet plays an important role in the health of your mouth. We have outlined some tips to optimize your oral health through your dietary intake.
Avoid hard-to-digest foods
Some foods are more difficult to digest than others. These include raw vegetables and fruits like carrots, apples, or celery; nuts; popcorn; popcorn; whole grains (such as brown rice); any kind of beans (including soybeans).
Avoid high-sugar foods
The higher the sugar content of a food item is, the greater it’s potential for causing tooth decay due to bacterial growth on your teeth after consumption. Sugary items include cakes and cookies made with refined white flour—those with little fiber have especially high sugar levels! Fruit juices may also be sweetened with natural sugars such as fructose or glucose syrup instead of refined cane juice crystals used when making soda pop products (or worse—corn syrup). However, they still contain plenty of calories per serving, which could cause weight gain if eaten frequently.
Avoid Sticky and Sugary Foods
- Stay away from eating sticky foods like caramel, as they will get stuck in your teeth and cause cavities.
- Avoid sugary foods like candy as well, as these can increase the risk of tooth decay by causing bacteria to grow on your teeth and eat away at the enamel.
Reduce or Quit Alcohol and Cigarettes
You need to quit two things if you want to maintain good dental health: smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Smoking can cause tooth discoloration, gum disease, bad breath, and even tooth loss.
Alcohol may not be as harmful as smoking when it comes to teeth, but it has its own set of problems. It can also lead to tooth discoloration (known as “beer belly syndrome”) and dry mouth, in addition to bad breath.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water daily is a simple habit that can go a long way toward keeping your teeth healthy and your overall oral health in good shape. Water helps to keep plaque and tartar buildup at bay, which means you’ll be less likely to experience gum disease or other serious side effects from poor dental hygiene.
The more water you drink, the better: eight glasses per day is considered the minimum amount for good health (and many dentists recommend twice that amount).
Chatham Dentist
Treat yourself to comprehensive dental care at Brookside Family Dental. Our family-friendly clinic provides quality dental maintenance, hygiene, crowns, bridges, implants, extractions, mouth guards, and much more.
We aim to provide personalized dental care so that you can optimize your oral health and leave with a healthy, beautiful smile. If you’re looking for a dentist in Chatham or Leamington, call us today at 226-494-4000.
