We
all know cutting back on smoking and drinking red wine can prevent further
damage to your teeth and gums. But did you know kissing, eating apple, or not
brushing immediately helps, too? Here are five surprising moves to defend your
teeth and gums against detriment.
Don’t brush immediately after drinking soda
This
sounds unconventional, but brushing right after sugar consumption can actually
do more damage to your teeth than good.
Soft
drinks and energy drinks contain harmful compounds that can ruin your teeth.
Those acids, combined with the coarse action of brushing, can crumble the
enamel. Before brushing your teeth, let your saliva neutralize the acids first.
Chew a sugarless gum, or sip water to help with the process. In this way, you
can protect your teeth against the caustic elements of an acidic beverage.
Be a smarter swimmer
Overly
chlorinated water can, in fact, stain and erode tooth enamel. While chlorine is
used to treat pool water for bacteria, excessive use of it decreases the pH
level of the pool making it dangerously acidic.
So the next time you decide to take a dip, tote
a toothbrush with you and use a fluoride rinse right after an hour or more in
the pool. If you’re a frequent swimmer and feel repeated tooth discomfort, you
may want to check with your Scottsdale dentist to rule out any possibility of
tooth or gum problem
Boost your calcium intake
Just
as it makes for stronger bones, calcium also protects your teeth. It is a vital
structural element for healthy bones and teeth as it strengthens the jaw bone
to be able to hold your teeth in place.
Consume dairy products such as milk, cheese, and
yogurt. These are rich in dietary calcium which helps prevent gum disease. You
can also take a calcium supplement to aid on your lack of the mineral, but get
as much of it as you can from the food you eat.
An apple a day can keep your Scottsdale dentist away, too
Apples,
carrots, celery and other crunchy foods act like toothbrushes, and can even
help scrub away stains over time.
Have an apple a day. Because of its flesh that
is rich in fiber, and its mildly astringent and acidic quality, an apple makes
for an ideal teeth brightener and cleanser. Brush your teeth after eating an
apple between meals to wash away the acid, plaque, and sugar it may have
removed from your tooth enamel. If you don’t have the chance to do so, make
certain to drink water afterwards
Kissing helps safeguard your teeth
Now,
here’s another reason to pucker up! Who knew smooching can help protect your
pearly whites from detriment? Apparently, not a lot of people know.
Kissing
helps your mouth produce more saliva that cleanses your teeth of cavity-causing
bacteria. No one to share a kiss with? No worries! Chewing on sugar-free gum
with xylitol also does the trick.
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