Your smile is a valuable and functional asset, so it’s important that you not only keep it beautiful but healthy as well. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is simple, but many people fall short and often put oral care at the bottom of their list of priorities. However, your dental health can impact your mental and physical health, not to mention your social interactions, so it’s worth the effort. These tips can help you protect your teeth and gums so you can maintain excellent dental health.
Positive Routines for a Healthy Mouth
Just as with many other aspects of health and wellness, a strong, beautiful smile is made by everyday habits and choices. When you incorporate these practices into your routine, you can maintain a healthy mouth.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
The hard and soft tissues of your mouth get their strength and resilience from the nutrients your body absorbs from the foods you eat. To keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy, you need to consume a nourishing diet that’s rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plenty of lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains are good places to start, but it’s also helpful to focus on the nutrients that have the biggest impact on dental health.
Calcium and vitamin D are very important when it comes to maintaining strong teeth. These nutrients help mineralize teeth and support strong enamel, your teeth’s primary defense against damage and bacteria. Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D include dairy products, spinach, fatty fish, and fortified cereals.
When it comes to healthy gums, eating foods that help promote circulation and inhibit inflammation are excellent choices. Antioxidants are effective at both, so be sure to consume plenty of nutritious options that are full of antioxidants, such as:
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Turmeric
- Green Tea
- Dark Chocolate
Eating a varied diet can be challenging, and consuming enough of each nutrient group can be even more difficult. To ensure you are getting more of the nutrients your body needs to support dental and overall health, consider adding high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements to your daily routine. When combined with a healthy diet, these products can help fill in the gaps.
Use a Proper Brushing Technique
It’s a well-known fact that daily brushing and flossing help keep your teeth healthy and clean, lifting away the bacteria and buildup that can lead to cavities and other issues. However, it’s not just about how often you brush; the technique is important if you really want to keep your teeth clean while preventing unnecessary damage.
First, start with a soft-bristled brush and use a gentle touch. Over Brushing can wear away enamel and irritate your gums. When brushing, use fluoride toothpaste, but in small amounts. The size of a pea is all an adult needs to effectively clean their entire mouth. Finally, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle rather than parallel to your teeth. This position allows for more effective cleaning at the gum line.
Habits to Avoid for Strong Teeth and Gums
Just as you need to consume enough healthy foods to protect your teeth, you should also restrict the ones that can lead to dental problems. Foods that are high in acid and sugar can gradually erode enamel and lead to a variety of oral health issues. Candy, sweetened beverages, and any other kind of sugary treat should only be enjoyed on special occasions rather than every day.
Chewing on foreign objects is another bad habit that isn’t great for your teeth or gums. From crunching ice cubes to gnawing on fingernails and pens, these substances can damage tooth or gum tissues and can also transmit excess bacteria into the mouth. Finally, if you smoke, take steps to quit as this habit can lead to serious dental health concerns.
If you value your overall health and wellness, dental care should be a top priority in your life. Making smart choices and taking the time to care for your teeth and gums can help you maintain a truly beautiful and resilient smile.