Top 9 Dental Health Tips

Many of us don’t give our teeth a second thought until they start to bother us. We tend to take them for granted and expect that they will always be there working for us. But once your adult teeth come in, those are the only teeth you will have for the rest of your life, so it would be wise to consider what you can do to keep them in the best shape possible. Here are our top 9 dental health tips to help you keeping your pearly whites in top-notch condition.

1. Get enough calcium in your diet. Your teeth are made up of calcium, so you make them stronger by getting more of it in your diet. Calcium is in foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, and soybeans. As an extension of that, be sure to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D, as well, as that will help your body to better absorb the calcium. The best way to get Vitamin D is to spend a little bit of time in the sun each day.
2. Avoid sugary foods. Sugary foods are converted to acids inside your mouth, which causes decay. Sticky, sugary foods are especially detrimental.
3. Eat foods that promote saliva production. Saliva battles the bacteria from your mouth by cleansing the oral cavity. Eating foods that produce saliva, like limes and cranberries, can help naturally clean your teeth. Also drinking water can help clear bacteria out of your mouth. Water and foods containing water will dilute the sugars in the foods you eat, helping to prevent decay.
4. Rinse your mouth with water after you eat. This will help kill germs and bacteria in your mouth from your meal. You can also chew sugarless gum to help increase saliva production to clean your mouth after you eat.
5. Use fluoride. Fluoride strengthens the enamel on your teeth, making them less likely to decay. Most water in America has fluoride in it, but if yours doesn’t, make sure you have it in your toothpaste and mouthwash.
6. Avoid dark foods that will stain your teeth. Red wine, coffee, and black tea can stain your teeth. You can keep your teeth white by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth with water after you consume them.
7. Brush your teeth twice a day. Don’t brush your teeth too hard, as this is a less effective way to clean them. Brush at a 45 degree angle and brush in a circular motion. Change your toothbrush 3 to 4 times a year.
8. Floss daily. Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. It removes the plaque buildup more effectively in the crevasses between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
9. Get your teeth cleaned by your dentist every 6 months. Regular dental check-ups prevent the build-up of plaque on your teeth. Also, your dentist can give you personalized dental health tips, depending on your needs.

We hope these dental health tips help you improve your dental health and give you the healthy, white smile you want. Come see us at Northside Family Dental to get your smile into tiptop shape.