Want to enjoy healthier teeth and gums throughout 2019? A great way to start is by following a few tips from a dentist in Lincoln. These include brushing more often, eating lots of delicious, healthy foods, and drinking plenty of fluoridated water. Let’s look at each of these tips in more detail.
Spend More Time with Your Toothbrush
You’ve heard it all your life: brush after every meal. But this advice isn’t always practical, especially for those of us who work outside our homes. So how do you get the most benefit from your toothbrush? Here are some handy tips:
- Aim for a twice-daily brushing schedule, once in the morning before you begin your day and again in the evening as soon as possible after dinner.
- Spend more time making each toothbrushing session count. Dentists recommend brushing for a full two minutes.
- Keep a spare toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in a drawer at your desk or workstation, in case you get a chance to brush after your mid-shift meal.
Make Food Your Teeth’s Friend
Eating is not only essential, it’s also enjoyable. But most of our favorite foods contain sugar and carbs, both of which fuel the cavity-causing germs that live in our mouths. Can you have your cake and eat it too? The answer is “yes, within reason.” Here’s what we mean:
- Your body needs nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Make sure the foods you eat are rich in these essential ingredients.
- At the same time, you also need carbs to give you energy. But not all carbs are created equal. Foods like whole grain breads, brown rice, and sweet potatoes have the stuff you need. But they’re also packed with fiber, which helps your body to digest them gradually.
- As far as sugary desserts are concerned, they’re perfectly fine for occasional treats. But over-indulging in them can send the cavity formation process into overdrive. It’s best to savor them only on rare occasions and brush your teeth as soon as possible afterwards.
Make Water Your Default Beverage
Water rarely gets the respect it deserves. That’s a shame, because none of us could get by without it. Take your mouth for example. It needs a steady supply of saliva, which is made from water, to both aid digestion and keep cavity-causing bacteria under control.
Plain tap water is the best choice for your dental health, as it contains fluoride. But many people object to the taste of their municipal water supply. Filtration systems can help with this concern. Just make sure the one you chose doesn’t filter out the fluoride! You might also want to add a tiny squirt of lime or lemon juice or a spring of mint.
Each of us only gets one set of natural teeth. Keep yours as healthy as possible by following the tips in this post. Come 2020 you’ll look back and smile at the positive steps you’ve taken during 2019.
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding’s commitment to continuing education is matched only by the caring attention he gives to each and every patient. Dr. Olberding is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. You can reach his office online or by calling (402) 488-2325.