Proper oral hygiene is important in keeping your mouth healthy and preventing certain medical disorders. Taking care of your teeth can help prevent gum disease, heart problems, cancer, and diabetes. Not only that, dental hygiene can help you keep your teeth as you grow older. Here are some surprising ways to protect your teeth:
Check the sugar content of what you eat and drink
Candies, cookies, bread, cereals, and sodas contain sugar and starch. As you know, too much sugar can cause tooth decay. Starch when mixed with saliva can wear away the teeth’s enamel and cause cavities. Likewise, sugar in dried fruits clings to your teeth. Moreover, unsweetened fruit juices, aside from being acidic, also contain high levels of sugar. Too much soft drink consumption can erode your teeth’s enamel. Products declared to be natural and healthy contain sugar, too. To protect your teeth, read the nutrition information on packaged food and drinks. Purchase grocery items that contain 15 grams of sugar or less per 100 grams of the food.
Eat more fresh fruits
Fresh fruits are naturally sweet, yet they can be acidic, too. But chewing fresh fruits stimulate saliva flow, which lessens the acid in your mouth. In addition, the saliva washes away food particles. Consequently, it prevents the buildup of cavity that causes bacteria. To protect your teeth, snack on fresh fruits to stimulate your gums and increase saliva flow.
Don’t rinse after brushing
Fluoride in toothpaste strengthens your teeth. It protects your teeth from acid attacks and helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. If you spit after brushing and rinse with water, you are depriving your mouth of the benefits of fluoride. Don’t rinse your mouth after brushing. Just spit out the excess toothpaste. This way, you’re doing your teeth a favor.
Consume food rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and fluoride
Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which is a more advanced infection of the gum. In addition, bleeding gums are susceptible to bacteria. Women with gum problems are at risk of giving birth prematurely.
You can protect your teeth by eating food rich in vitamins A and C. For healthy gums, include in your diet fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots. Likewise, consume calcium-rich food like low-fat milk and yogurt. Eating cheese after meal can also help prevent cavities. Tea is rich in fluoride, so drink to your dental health.
Drink tap water
Not only is tap water free, it is also more beneficial than the expensive bottled ones. Aside from hydrogen and oxygen, tap water contains fluoride. Drinking water with fluoride helps make your teeth resistant to decay.
Quit smoking
There is no advantage to smoking. The habit can cause oral cancer and gum disease. It can also stain your teeth and cause deterioration of your sense of taste and smell. Stop smoking for your oral and overall health. Quitting is a challenge, but there are other alternatives to cigarettes.
Neglecting your teeth can lead to dental problems. It’s never too late to take care of your teeth. There are professionals who can help you save your teeth. Should you need to have your teeth checked or undergo various procedures such as root canal therapy and dental implants, there are many reputable experts in Scottsdale who can help you.
