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Everyone knows that they should brush and floss daily, but sometimes these health habits can be forgotten when people get too tired. Taking care of your dental health does more than just give you a bright, white smile; taking care of your teeth can improve your overall health. Try these tips to keep your mouth and your body healthy.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Many people don’t think of eating a healthy diet topping the list of things that you can do for your dental health, but it is true. The foods you eat and drink have a significant impact on your dental health. Eating foods with calcium, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and canned fish, can strengthen your teeth. Eating fibrous foods, such as carrots and apples, are also very beneficial as the fiber helps strengthen and naturally cleans your teeth.
While many foods help keep your teeth healthy, some foods can harm your teeth. Some of the worst foods you can eat include:
- Bread
- Sour gummy candies
- Citrus
- Dried fruit
- Hard candy
- Potato chips
The acids in citrus and the sour gummy candies can damage enamel, while the starches in the bread, potato chips, and fruit quickly multiple into sugars that can cause cavities. It’s best to limit these foods to a healthy smile.
Brush, Floss, and Rinse
Brushing your teeth is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum disease. You should brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes during every session. Brushing is essential as it removes built-up plaque. This plaque can lead to the formation of tooth decay. When brushing, brush in small circles at an angle to remove food and plaque on the teeth and along the gumline.
Flossing takes only a few minutes, but many people don’t take the time to do it. A study done by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 30 percent of adults in the United States floss daily. Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque in-between the teeth that can cause cavities. Removing this with floss keeps the teeth and the gums healthy after flossing, rinse your mouth well to remove any removed particles from the teeth.
Drink More Water
Carbonated soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, and juice are okay to enjoy as an occasional treat, but having these drinks too often can damage your teeth. These drinks can slowly damage the enamel and stain your teeth. Stick to water for the majority of your drinks to help keep your teeth clean and healthy. Many local sources add fluoride to their water. This can help prevent cavities and strengthen your enamel. Medical experts recommend aiming for at least 64 ounces of water per day.
See A Dentist Regularly
No matter how well you take care of your teeth, it’s still important to regularly see a dentist. You should see a dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and a check-up. Finding and diagnosing dental problems when they are minor can help prevent significant issues with your teeth. If you do feel any tooth pain, don’t put off calling your dentist for emergency dental care. Tooth problems can lead to heart and kidney problems if left untreated, so call your dentist at the first sign of issues or pain. Emergency Dentistry in Westerville OH is available for same-day appointments.
Rinse with Fluoride
If your local tap water doesn’t contain fluoride or if you prefer drinking purified water, you need to get your fluoride in a rinse. Fluoride helps to re-mineralize the teeth, reverse the early signs of tooth decay, slow down the loss of minerals in the teeth, and prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying in your mouth. Use a fluoride rinse after brushing and flossing once per day. Don’t eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to treat the teeth.
Getting the best dental care for your teeth starts by building healthy habits. Brush, floss, and use a fluoride rinse daily, eat and drink healthy foods, and regularly see your dentist. Your confident smile will thank you.
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I tell my kids its so important to take care of their teeth
Thanks for the info looking good