The holidays are a time of togetherness, joy and excess. With so much good food around it’s easy to let your teeth fall by the wayside. If left unchecked, all that rich food can lead to cavities, periodontal disease, and other problems with your pearly whites. All those Christmas parties, family dinners, and excess snacking can wreak havoc on your teeth if you aren’t careful. Staying on top of your oral health and dental hygiene is easy. Here are some pointers for healthy teeth and gums during the holidays!
Your teeth have several layers, and if they’re breached, your dental and oral health is at risk. Your teeth’s first line of defence is your enamel, so learning to care for the enamel of your teeth can go a long way, setting you up for good oral health.
Brush and floss before you eat for healthy teeth and gums
The best way to avoid cavities is to brush your teeth often, and a good rule of thumb is to brush after every meal. Brushing after you eat will help keep the bacteria from food from turning into plaque, which is what causes cavities. Flossing will help keep your gums healthy, which will in turn keep your teeth healthy. If you don’t floss, food particles can get stuck between your teeth and gums, which can lead to plaque buildup and eventually, cavities. If you have braces, it’s even more important to brush and floss regularly as food particles can get stuck in the wires and cause damage.
Use a tongue scraper for healthy teeth and gums
Keeping your tongue clean is just as important as keeping your teeth clean. A tongue scraper is a great way to remove bacteria on the surface of your tongue and the area between your teeth. Keep in mind that a tongue scraper does not replace brushing and flossing. If you don’t brush and floss, your tongue scraper will only get so clean.
Floss, floss, floss: According to the American Dental Association it is recommended you floss, or clean between your teeth, once a day.
Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
- Get Dental Sealants from Dentist.
- Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol.
- See your dentist every 6 months for an oral examination and teeth cleaning.
Rinse with a baking soda mixture | Dental Hygiene
If you’re worried about cavities, the best way to stay on top of your oral health is by rinsing your mouth with a combination of baking soda and water after you eat. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a cup of warm water, and then swish the mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds to one minute after you eat. If you’re worried about bad breath, you can mix the baking soda with a few drops of peppermint essential oils for a freshening boost.
While baking soda is effective at killing oral bacteria, it also tears up your gums and can actually cause you to get cavities. This is why it’s important to rinse your mouth out with water after using it.
Don’t forget the mouthwash to get healthy teeth and gums
You don’t have to do everything all at once, but you should definitely have mouthwash in your oral hygiene arsenal. Mouthwash can temporarily kill the bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath and can help prevent tooth decay. Brushing and flossing are two of the most important parts of your oral hygiene routine, but it’s also important to keep up with all the other parts. Using mouthwash to kill bacteria after you eat can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Maintain a healthy diet for hygiene: Maintaining a healthy diet is also an important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Brush Your Tongue for healthy teeth and gums
Especially before sleeping, brushing your tongue ensures bacteria is well under control before you go to bed. As you sleep, bacteria can thrive on your tongue and establish themselves on tooth surfaces in contact with your tongue. Tooth decay is the result of rampant bacterial activity on your teeth, as they feed on whatever they can find. If you brush your tongue you remove both food and bacteria, which lowers your risk of decay.
Conclusion
If you’ve been following all these steps and you’re still worried about cavities, you can always go see your dentist. Your dentist can give you a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth and even fill in small cavities if you have them. Even if you’re doing everything right, you can still get cavities. Your oral health is unique to you and your lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist before the holidays end. If you’re worried about your oral health during this time of year, it’s best to act sooner rather than later. A dental check-up will let you know what you need to do to keep your pearly whites healthy.
Suggested Article:
- How Stress Impacts Your Teeth
- What colour is of a Healthy Teeth?
- 7 ways to keep Teeth Healthy with right Diet
