Dental problems are widespread. They begin slowly, and most of them are unnoticed in the initial stages. The main reasons for dental issues like cavities, plaque, sensitivity, and gum diseases are the food that we eat and poor oral hygiene. And dental treatments are painful and costly too. Moreover, problems like toothache, bad breath affect our quality of life. With regular care, you can avoid all difficulties of your teeth and mouth. When you keep your mouth clean, you also keep the entire food track clean and can resist various diseases right from common flu to heart ailments. This is why you should visit https://www.cherrywood-dental.com/woodbridge-office/ regularly for routine check-ups.
Your routine food habits can either harm or save you. The same applies to your teeth. Today, the market is filled with sugary snacks and drinks. The packed sweets and savories can easily stick to the teeth and cause plaques, cavities, and tooth decay. The spicy food, canned drinks tend to have high acidic content that gradually erodes the enamel (outer) layer of our teeth. With a thin coating, the tooth can become sensitive and weak. It is easier for germs to attack and cause extensive damage that ultimately results in tooth extraction. The essential reason for proper dental care is that our permanent teeth do not grow after they fall/ are removed. So, you need to preserve the pearly whites like diamonds.
How and when should you brush?
Brushing is one of the first things that we learn to keep our teeth clean and gums healthy. But merely applying the paste and washing it off as soon as you can is equivalent to not brushing. We have always been asked to brush twice a day: in the early morning and at night before going to bed. It is necessary because brushing helps to remove the food particles and plaque. It would be best if you used a toothbrush with a soft bristle and brush for 2-3 minutes, covering all your teeth. After eating staining food like coffee, tea, and acidic ones like lemon juice, soft drinks, etc., you should rinse your mouth or have water. You can even consider brushing after at least half an hour of having a heavy meal. It is essential to leave some gap as immediately cleaning after eating can have negative effects such as erosion of enamel.
Follow the right food habits
Along with cleaning, specific changes in food habits could significantly reduce dental problems like cavities and decay. In general, you should have three meals a day and reduce snacks in between. The more time the food particles stay in the mouth, the more bacteria. So, have your sweets along with the meal, as more saliva can automatically prevent them from sticking to your teeth. Similarly, after having acidic substances like oranges, berries, grape juices have some alkaline stuff like cheese, nuts, etc. A balanced diet, including vitamins and minerals, can prevent gum diseases.
Have some water during and after eating
Ensure to have plenty of water as it not only helps in neutralizing the acidity but also cleans the mouth. It washes off the food particles and decreases the bacterial action in your mouth. Thus having water can prevent cavities and gum diseases. You can drink water in between and after your meals. It breaks down the food and improves metabolism. It can prevent constipation too. It also prevents you from overeating and helps in weight loss. Water could increase the saliva content and prevents dry mouth. It freshens up your breath too. Water has fluoride, and it also plays an essential role in the strengthening of teeth. Those who have bloating issues and the kids who are fussy eaters can have water after an hour of having a meal. People with gastric reflux disease should avoid drinking water immediately after eating.
Floss
Though many people have the habit of using toothpicks to remove stuck food particles, it is not very safe. One should be very careful and should not hurt the gums. You should not use it to replace floss. Toothpicks cannot remove plaque. Flossing can help you clean along the gum line and can reach tiny places where the brush or toothpick cannot go. It prevents gum diseases and bad breath too. You must floss at least once a day, either in the morning or evening. If flossing is hard, then you can go for water picks.
Chewing gum Sugar-free
Sugar-free chewing gum not only freshens your breath but also has many other health benefits. You need to chew the gum for about fifteen minutes after having food. It boosts saliva production, which is essential for neutralizing the acid in food. It has several minerals that restrict enamel erosion and strengthen the gum layer. It can reduce tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening treatment. It is a good alternative when you cannot brush or floss. But you should not give up your regular dental care regimen. Otherwise, one might end up searching ‘a sedation dentist near me’ on the internet.
With poor oral hygiene, you are likely to get plaques, cavities, and tooth decay. You cannot eat food easily and cannot smile properly. You will also get problems like ulcers and dry mouth. It affects your quality of life. Moreover, dental problems can decrease your immunity and lead to critical ailments like heart disease. So, taking regular care of your teeth and gums is a must. One requires brushing at least twice a day and flossing too. Drinking enough water and eating the food the right way ensures healthy teeth and gum for the entire life.
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