Healthy teeth and sparkling smile need more than just regular brushing. Brushing and flossing your teeth doesn’t guarantee you’re giving your mouth all the attention it seeks.
Sometimes regular oral hygiene routine also leaves a gap when you are engaged in a few not-so-great habits. Factors like beverages, the frequency of snacks, and the gum you chew can impact your oral health.
Sugary, sticky, and acidic foods and drinks can eat away at your tooth enamel and lead your way to cavities and other gum diseases.
If you want to achieve pearly white smile, fresh-smelling breath, and healthy pink gums, here are some dental hygiene tips that you must follow.
Stop Enamel Damage
Enamel is the protective shields that protect your teeth from cavities. But there are certain foods and drinks that can strip your teeth away.
Sugar-filled sodas, sticky sweets, sweetened fruit drinks, and sugary snacks promote plaque bacteria which produce acids that attack your enamel. Ultimately, it leads to tooth decay and makes your teeth scream for help. So, make sure to choose foods that are lower in sugar.
Avoid Too Much Snacking
Eating a lot of snacks is not only bad for your waistline, but it can be bad for your smile, too. Snacks cause more damage to your teeth as compared to the food eaten as part of a meal.
This is because more saliva is released during the meal and saliva lessens the effects of acids. To satiate your snack crave, you can opt for something healthier like cheese, veggies, nuts or fruits.
Stay Away From Tobacco and Smoking
The use of tobacco not only stains your teeth, but it also affects your oral health. In fact, smoking and using tobacco lead to tooth loss and oral cancer.
Moreover, if you have gone through any kind of oral surgery or tooth extraction, avoid smoking as it can slow down your healing time. Remember, you are not only doing a big favor to your teeth by avoiding smoking but also saving yourself from oral cancer and periodontal complications.
Drink Enough Water
Drinking plenty of water regularly is one of the healthiest things you can do for your teeth. Sipping water all day long can strengthen your teeth and ward off tooth decay.
The fluoridated water acts as a cavity fighter and keeps your mouth moist and clean. It is great for your oral health as water can wash away food particles that bacteria feed on.
Ditch Sticky, Chewy, Sugary Candy
It is hard to say no to luscious lollipop or peppermint. But such sugary treats like toffee, caramel, gummy bears, and licorice come super stuffed with sugar.
These sugar-laden foods cling to your teeth and wreak havoc. So, it is better to ditch such sticky, sweet and chewy foods that lead to tooth decay. To appease your sweet tooth, you can opt for a healthier option like sugarless gum or hard candy.
Brush Before Going To Bed
If you think brushing once in the morning is enough to keep your teeth healthy, think again. Probably you just finish your dinner, go for a walk and then stash yourself in the bed.
But have you ever thought what happens inside your mouth during those 7-8 hours of sleep? While you are slumbering in peace, a bunch of bacteria may be gathering on your teeth while leaving the nasty plaque, cavities, tartar, and gingivitis.
This is why brushing your teeth is essential before going to sleep at night. This helps you prevent the plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease.
The food particle stuck in your teeth makes your teeth susceptible to cavities and gum disease. Hence dentists recommend brushing right before bedtime to save your teeth from damage.
Go For a Regular Dental Checkup
Regular cleanings and checkups are essential to detect dental problems before they get out of hand. Early diagnosis for any dental issues can make the treatment simpler and more affordable.
Also, regular dental visits can help you prevent many problems from developing and hence make sure to schedule regular dental checkups to keep your teeth bright, white, and healthy.
Have Nutrient-Rich Foods
Your teeth require essential nutrients to stay healthy, strong, white and cavity-free. Calcium from dairy products and leafy greens is good for your dental health.
Also, phosphorous found in proteins like eggs, fish, poultry, meat, and dairy protect and restore the enamel of your teeth.
Wrapping Up
Achieving and maintaining strong and healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. Even if you got nice teeth, it’s important to find a dentist near you and go for a regular dental checkup to prevent any dental issues in the future.
