Home care is one of the most important aspects of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you’re like many people, you may be wondering if it is possible to care for your teeth using natural methods. Continue reading to learn more about how you can take care of your teeth without dental intervention.
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Teeth-Friendly Diet
While it is no secret that the foods and beverages that you consume affect your overall health, it is also important to remember that your diet also has a major impact on your oral health. Maintaining a diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients is an excellent way to naturally supplement the health of your teeth.
Foods that support healthy teeth include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Meats
- Sugarless gum
These foods provide the body with vitamins and nutrients which are essential for the strengthening and reinforcement of the protective outer layer of enamel and the inner layer of dentin.
Chewing sugarless gum or snacking on fruits and vegetables is also a fantastic way to ensure that your body is producing an adequate amount of saliva. Saliva helps neutralize the environment inside the mouth, eliminating harmful acidity that has the potential to cause damage to the enamel of the teeth.
Foods to avoid for a tooth-friendly diet include:
- Lollies and Chocolate
- Soft drinks
- Energy drinks
- Potato chips
- Bread
- Excessive coffee and tea drinking
It is best to avoid these foods and beverages whenever possible, but it is understandable that you may want to indulge every once in a while. In the case that you’d like to treat yourself, it is highly recommended that you thoroughly brush and rinse out your mouth after you have consumed a sugary treat or drink. This will help ensure that harmful sugars or acids do not have a chance to linger on the surfaces or between the teeth.
Stay Hydrated
Ensuring that you keep your body hydrated with plenty of water is another excellent way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Water helps keep the body hydrated, which aids in saliva production, consequently keeping the environment in the mouth balanced and free of harmful acidity. It also helps wash away bacteria and food particles that may be trapped in the mouth.
It is typically recommended to drink an average of 2 Liters of water each day to keep your body properly hydrated. This number may increase if you partake in strenuous physical activity or exercise, or if you spend a considerable amount of time outside in the heat.
It can sometimes be a bit tricky to ensure that you are receiving the recommended daily amount of water in your diet. A great way to track your water intake is to invest in a labeled water bottle that will help you track how much water you are drinking. Many people who do this find that it is much easier to achieve the daily recommended amount, and some find it to be a fun daily activity that they can partake in to better manage their health.
Brushing and Flossing
Of course, proper brushing and flossing is the cornerstone of caring for your teeth.
To practice proper brushing habits, be sure to brush twice daily for two minutes. Be sure to get both the front and back surfaces of the teeth, as well as the molars in the back of your mouth.
Flossing is also an important part of daily oral care. For a more natural flossing experience, you can opt for biodegradable floss that is waxed with natural waxes such as candelilla wax rather than a petroleum-based substance.
To practice proper flossing habits, wrap a piece of floss around your two pointer fingers. Guide the floss between the contacts of two teeth and up to the gums, moving the floss back and forth gently to dislodge any debris or food. When you have finished cleaning all of the spaces in the mouth, rinse with mouthwash to rid the mouth of any lingering bacteria or food particles.
FY Smile: Your Local Double Bay Dentist
Your journey towards the beautiful smile of your dreams starts here; our team of experts will work with you to maintain the healthiest and most beautiful smile possible.
For more information about caring for your teeth or to make an appointment in our Double Bay dental clinic, give us a call at 02 8319 5557.
