After a trip to the dentist for a cleaning, everyone feels revitalized. But how can that fresh feeling be preserved in between washings?
Maintaining good oral hygiene is less of a hassle than having to visit the dentist to fix problems caused by neglect. Keeping your teeth feeling like you just left the dentist is easier than you think. Here are some suggestions for maintaining dental hygiene in between visits to the dentist at Blue Sky Dental
- Stop drinking soda
Constant soda consumption can seriously damage your teeth. Soda’s fizz comes from citric acid and phosphoric acid, both of which have been shown to erode tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay.
Drinking soda occasionally is harmless, but water is your best bet. You can add fruit or mint leaves for more flavor.
- Limit your sugar intake.
This, along with reducing your soda consumption, is an excellent way to maintain the health of your teeth in between professional cleanings.
Plaque forms because sugar feeds the bacteria and acidity in your mouth. Plaque can cause damage to your teeth and gums and can cause cavities. Limiting your sugar intake and following up with a thorough brushing and flossing will go a long way toward protecting your teeth and gums from the negative effects of sugar.
- Stop smoking
Teeth suffer greatly from smokers. If you continue to smoke between dental visits, all progress toward a cleaner mouth will be undone.
Cigarette smokers experience receding gums due to the nicotine and tar in cigarettes. Gum disease and tooth decay are two of the many oral health problems made worse by smoking. Smoking increases the likelihood that you may have tooth loss and oral cancer.
- Do not go overboard
It is tempting to give your teeth a thorough cleaning by brushing them for longer than necessary. Brushing too vigorously, on the other hand, might increase tooth sensitivity and porousness. Additionally, gum recession caused by excessive brushing is permanent. Brushing your teeth regularly can help keep them healthy, but only if you do so gently.
- Chewing gum
Washing your teeth after every meal is best, but it is not always practical. Maintaining minty, fresh breath and removing food particles between brushings is as easy as keeping a box of sugar-free gum on hand.
Saliva production is boosted by chewing gum. The antibacterial capabilities of saliva will keep plaque and tooth decay from forming on your teeth from bacteria feasting on food particles left in your mouth.
