Stronger white and healthy teeth
Trying to have healthy teeth that stay for longer is a great goal, but those things cannot be possible without Brushing, flossing, dental checkups, and cleanings. So why not try to help your teeth stay stronger, whiter and healthier for a lifetime.
The surface of your
teeth is called enamel. It helps protect them from decay. Some wear and tear are normal, but there's much more to be done to keep that barrier strong.
See what changes you should make today, to make your teeth function in a more youthful and resilient way, months, or years from now.
In addition to brushing and flossing, a healthy diet (with natural or added fluoride) protects teeth from decay and keeps the gums healthy. Continue reading to discover how to keep your smile safe and strong.
1. Don’t Smoke
Eliminating the habit of smoking we do stronger white and healthy teeth and your overall oral health in general — than any other change you make. Numerous studies have proven the effect of tobacco on the overall well-being and health status of both men and women.
More specifically, continuing a heavy smoking habit past the age of 40 has been shown to reduce a personal life as well as the oral health. It can worsen many age-related diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Smoking also causes premature skin aging, making you look older
2. Eat a well-balanced diet
Eating a well-balanced diet based on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, plenty of low-mercury fish, whole grains, and moderate amounts of healthy fats, has consistently been linked in research to better oral health and teeth.
3. Good fluoridated water Supply
There’s one beverage dental and medical professionals can agree on as being the most beneficial for both oral health and overall health, and the answer is good H2O. Although most people would say it’s the most boring beverage, it’s also the most popular, with 12.8 billion gallons of bottled water sold in the US alone in 2016—that’s more than
39 gallons consumed per person.
Water is quite beneficial to teeth, as it increases the pH of saliva, making it less acidic and more basic, thereby helping to neutralize the harmful effects of acidic foods on tooth enamel.
In Addition, water flushes away food particles and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for, fights dry mouth, is calorie-free, and dilutes the acids produced by bacteria found naturally in the mouth.
Fluoride is essential. To a large extent, cavities can be prevented by giving children fluoride in the first few years of life. Fluoride is supplied through the fluoridated water. But not all water is fluoridated. Fluoride supplement can apply.
4. Calcium: Good for Bones & Teeth
Calcium is already known for strengthening bones and
teeth and is the best so far. In fact, most of the calcium in our bodies is stored in the bones and teeth. As bones undergo their regular process of breakdown and remodeling, calcium helps build new bone, especially during growth and development.
Getting enough calcium is important for keeping your enamel strong for longer. Especially during childhood, while they are still growing. It's also essential during the senior years when bones start to break down faster than they can rebuild. Older bones become more brittle and easily fractured -- a condition called
osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Calcium also plays an important role in several other body functions too.
5. Take more Vitamin A and D
Vitamin A also helps build strong bones and teeth. Good sources of beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A, include orange-colored fruits and vegetables and the dark green leafy vegetables.
Also needed are phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and beta-carotene. In addition to calcium and fluoride, minerals needed for the formation of tooth enamel include phosphorus (richly supplied in meat, fish, and eggs) and magnesium (found in whole grains, spinach, and bananas).
6. Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks
Bacteria love sugary foods and drinks which produce acids in your mouth which soften and wear away your enamel. Chewy sticky sweet or candies can also cause damage to
teeth. Soft drinks may have extra acids too.
Soft drinks with
artificial sweeteners are better than the one with sugar, but they're also acidic and will wear down enamel over time and do not enhance teeth.
The only way is to take a glass of pure water when you're thirsty. Many flavored drinks of water are acidic also.
7. Gum disease.
More teeth have been removed through gum disease than through tooth decay. Gum disease is likely to affect anyone who neglects oral hygiene or eats a poor diet. Particularly at risk are people with alcoholism, malnutrition, or AIDS/HIV infection or who are being treated with steroid drugs or certain cancer chemotherapies. Regular brushing and flossing help to prevent puffy, sore, and inflamed gums.
You can wear down your enamel over time if you brush too hard and fast. Hold a brush with a soft bristle at about a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then move it back and forth in short, gentle strokes, about the distance of one tooth.
Wait for up to an hour after eating sweets or citrus fruits before you brush your teeth. Acidic foods can soften enamel and may make it easier for you to damage it.
9. Manage your stress or anxiety intake
Even people who are very diligent with diet and exercise may overlook the impact of stress on their health.
The fact is,
stress or
anxiety has many physiological effects, including
Wear and tear from tooth grinding. Over time, it can wear down the biting surfaces of teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. If your teeth show signs of
bruxism, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard worn at night to prevent grinding.
Why not try mindfulness meditation, or even just smiling more, to manage your daily stress level and maintain healthy teeth? Your heart and your frame of mind will be better off for it.
10. Stay Active
The benefits of being
physically active are numerous: better cardiovascular health, lower risk of cancer and diabetes, improved stress management and strengthening bones.
Other investigations have shown similar benefits for those who keep moving. Whether walking, running, or some other activity that is a convenience for you, stay active to fight off gum disease, keep your bones strong, and your life long!
11. Make an Appointment With Your Dentist.
Most dentists recommend a dental check-up every 6 months or more if you are most likely to develop problems like gum disease. During an oral diagnosis, your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque build-up that you can’t brush or floss away and look for signs of decay.
A regular dental exam also spots:
- Early signs of oral cancer
- Bruxism
- Signs of gum disease
- Interactions with medications. Older patients, especially those on multiple medications, are at risk of dry mouth, or xerostomia.
Dental health Guidelines
Tooth decay (cavities and dental caries) and gum disease are caused by a group of bacteria that constantly surround the teeth with a sticky film called plaque. If plaque is not brushed away, these bacteria break down the sugars and starches in foods to produce acids that wear away the tooth enamel. The plaque also hardens into tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation or gingivitis.
A well-balanced diet provides the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients essential for healthy teeth and gums. Fluoride, occurring naturally in foods and water, or added to the water supply, can be a powerful tool in fighting decay. It can reduce the rate of cavities by as much as 60 percent and make your teeth stronger.
A word From Healthsoothe
I know these simple steps will help you achieve a healthy mouth and a good smile. Also, Brushing, flossing, dental checkups, and cleanings should not be overlooked or avoided. For those with a permanent disability, keeping up with dental care every day is quite challenging. Because the energy expended to ensure proper dental care can increase fatigue, it is so important to make adaptations to take care of your teeth and gums.
Without proper dental hygiene, harmful bacteria can stay and lead to illness, infections, and disease. Fortunately, getting along with your daily dental routine can help reduce bacteria and keep the harmful ones away. The dental issues that can arise from the absence of consistent and effective dental hygiene can have an effect on anyone.
