Monthly Archives: January 2019

PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY – TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER SMILE THAT LASTS

Preventing tooth decay starts with good oral hygiene and dietary habits. As you have probably heard, it’s important that you always brush your teeth at least twice a day as well as floss daily. We probably sound like a broken record, but it’s true! Brushing and flossing are your first lines of defense against cavities.

How Does Tooth Decay Happen?

Tooth decay starts when food particles are left behind on your teeth from eating and drinking. Bacteria in your mouth feed off of these food particles and turn them into acid. The acid then eats holes into your teeth. These holes are called cavities. Before cavities get a chance to negatively affect your oral health, we have some preventive dental tips for you to follow!

Preventive At-Home Dental Care

In order to prevent tooth decay, you need to consistently maintain good oral health habits. This includes brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing. It is also important to limit your intake of carbohydrates and sugars. We know this is easier said than done, but remember that eliminating sugary, processed foods and beverages have other health benefits, too, which can help you stay motivated.

Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum can also help remove food debris from your mouth and encourage production of saliva. Naturally occurring chemicals in your saliva help fight the bacteria and the acid damage they cause!

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Even if your oral hygiene is perfect, it is still a good idea to visit your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleaning at least twice a year. Despite your best efforts, plaque and tartar can still build up and cause damage in areas your toothbrush and floss can’t get to.

Maintaining your regular appointments and teeth cleanings will keep you on a good path for preventing tooth decay. If you are genetically predisposed to gum disease or other oral health issues, it is important that you do not skip any appointments with your dentist. Some people don’t realize that taking good preventive dental health steps early can even save you money and prevent expensive restorative dental care in your later years.

Preventing tooth decay is essential to keeping all of your natural teeth and maintaining a healthy smile. For more information about your oral health, or to schedule your next appointment, call our office today.

5 healthy food for your teeth

A healthy diet is not just great for your overall body wellness but also for your teeth. The healthier you eat, the healthier your smile! Check out these five teeth-friendly foods:

1. Apples
An apple a day may help keep cavities and gum disease away! Due to their fibrous texture, apples make a fantastic snack for your teeth. When you chew an apple, this simple action stimulates your gums, working to reduce bacteria that could cause cavities. Saliva is critical for your dental health because it neutralizes acids in your mouth and washes away food particles that could become plaque and tartar if left to linger on or between your teeth.

2. Almonds
Almonds are a wonderful snack for your teeth because they are low in sugar and high in protein and calcium. This combination keeps your teeth strong and decreases your risk of cavities. Just be sure that you drink water while and after you’ve eaten the handful of almonds to wash away any particles that may stick around in your mouth.

3. Leafy Greens & Cruciferous Veggies
You would have heard that veggies like kale, spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower are good for your body and immune system, but did you know that they are also great for your tooth enamel and gums? Leafy greens are full of essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, and folic acid, which helps alleviate inflamed gums. Additionally, folic acid is vital for women trying to get pregnant or in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent spina bifida of their developing child.

4. Carrots
Crunching on carrots also stimulates saliva production. Moreover, they are also high in fiber and beta-carotene, which are needed to make vitamin A. Vitamin A is a necessary component when your mouth is forming and remineralizing tooth enamel.

5. Cheese
Cheese is another tasty, teeth-healthy snack because it’s high in calcium and a protein called casein, which acts as a buffer against bacteria and acids that may lead to tooth decay. Cheese also increases your salivary flow and helps to replace important minerals in your tooth enamel.

If you need any more information, feel free to ask us on your next visit.