3 Less-Obvious Tips for Healthy Teeth

Everyone knows that brushing and flossing your teeth every day are part of a good oral hygiene regime. Regular dental checkups are important, too, along with the annual or bi-annual teeth cleaning. So, what more can you do to keep your teeth healthy? There are many things that support healthy teeth. Here are three that may surprise you.

Lighten Up

Most of us brush our teeth with our mouths wide open. We apply a good deal of pressure while scrubbing back and forth to make sure the teeth are cleaned thoroughly. Here’s the rub with that. The back and forth motion combined with hard pressure may be wearing down your enamel and affecting your gums. This is especially true if you are using a hard brush.

Your teeth may be getting clean, but you may be exposing them to risk for decay as you wear away the enamel at the gum line and the gums recede. Cavities along the gum line are frequently seen in individuals who have a tendency to brush their teeth with a hard bristle toothbrush and apply excess pressure. Use less pressure and close your lips or keep them collapsed around your toothbrush. This helps you with brushing the back of your teeth and lessens the gag reflex. It will also help your mirror stay cleaner!

Let Your Fluoride Toothpaste Work

Many people use toothpaste with fluoride with the hope that it will help keep dental decay away. When you rinse your teeth after brushing, you also rinse away the protection the fluoride is intended to provide. It needs to stay on your teeth in order to work. It may take a few times to get used to not rinsing, but if you spit out the excess toothpaste residue and avoid rinsing with water, your teeth will appreciate the extra care.

Not rinsing may be too much of a stretch for you. In that case, choose an ADA-approved fluoride rinse. You will still get the benefits of the fluoride.

Eat Healthy Foods

A diet of healthy foods can help your teeth stay in good shape. Not only do they provide the nutrients your body needs to keep your teeth healthy, but certain foods also help clean your teeth and freshen your breath. Crisp fruits like apples and vegetables like celery and broccoli provide nutrients and they help remove plaque from teeth.

Take good care of your teeth and they will last a lifetime. Ignore them, and they will go away. See your dentist for more tips on what you can do to keep your teeth healthy. For more tips on keeping a healthy smile – contact Dr. Mitzi Morris.