While genetic makeup certainly plays a role in your dental health, the way you take care of your teeth creates a much bigger impact on your pearly whites. And amazing teeth can often be achieved by simple, good oral hygiene. Here are the best practices in improving your smile!
1. Enamel Care
The enamel is the hard, outer layer of the teeth that protects it from daily wear and tear. When this surface erodes, you might feel pain when eating hot or cold foods or drinking beverages. Enamel erosion can also cause teeth to chip or become yellow.
The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends using fluoride products to care for the enamel. Fluoride is a mineral that provides the most powerful defense for your teeth. When used in toothpastes, fluoride will make your teeth more resistant to the acids from food, strengthen the enamel, and counter the early stages of tooth decay. It can also help fight off cavities.
2. Brushing
Brushing is the single most effective way to remove food and plaque from the teeth, and the ADA recommends doing it at least twice a day. But did you know that there’s a technique to brushing?
Brushing too hard and too fast can wear down the enamel, defeating the purpose of cleaning. Instead, use gentle strokes angled 45 degrees towards the gum line. Brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. And if you’ve taken any sugary or acidic drink/food, wait an hour before cleaning. The acids in the food can make your enamel softer and brushing too soon may damage them.
It is also recommended by the ADA to brush for two minutes each session. Professionals recommend dividing the mouth area into four quadrants and spending 30 seconds on each. Flossing and using mouthwash also help.
3. Regular Trips to the Dentist
Twice a year visits to the dentist is essential to keeping a healthy mouth and amazing teeth. A regular dental checkup can head off dental issues during the early stages or prevent one from happening. Your dentist can also recommend other procedures to make your smile look even more stunning.
Foods To Take and Avoid
You can also support your teeth’s health by knowing what strengthens them and what invites decay. Here’s a list of some of the best foods and the worst offenders.
Have more of these:
- Dairy products. These contain calcium. Calcium hardens the enamel and strengthens the jawbones.
- Water. Water not only keeps the body hydrated, it can also keep the teeth healthy, particularly if it’s fluoridated.
- Fibrous fruits and veggies. These help keep the mouth clean and get the saliva flowing. (Saliva has traces of phosphate and calcium.)
- Black and green tea. These two teas contain polyphenols that destroy or hold back bacteria.
Have less of these:
- Sugary foods and carbonated drinks. Candies, juices, and other products contain lots of sugar, which plaque bacteria use to create acids that attack the teeth.
- Starchy foods. Chips, pasta, and other starchy foods can linger in the mouth longer and feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
- Alcohol. Too much alcohol can dry out the mouth and stop saliva from flowing.
Start on your journey for amazing teeth now!
Here at White Dental Studio, we’re committed to providing you with the best dental care. Call us today at 541-708-6288 and book your appointment.
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