A healthy smile is good for you in many ways. Having a beautiful and healthy smile increases your confidence, improves your mood, and boosts your overall health. Aloe Dental Wellness will highlight five ways you can maintain a healthy smile.
1. Good Dental Hygiene
Everyone knows you have to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, but sometimes people get lazy. This daily habit is one of the best ways to take matters into your own hands and prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Remember to floss to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth. When brushing your teeth remember to brush them lightly and thoroughly for two minutes. Be careful not to brush too hard. Aggressive brushing won’t clean your teeth more effectively but rather lead to other oral health issues like gum recession.
2. Drink Lots Of Water
You may not know it, but your saliva plays an important role in keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. Xerostomia, a condition informally known as “dry mouth,” is not only uncomfortable but has been shown to increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. When your mouth produces enough saliva, moving the clear fluid in your mouth helps remove food particles that can stain and discolor your teeth, or feed plaque and tartar-producing bacteria. Saliva also has trace amounts of antimicrobial properties that can help fight gingivitis and other oral infections.
The best way to combat dry mouth is to stay hydrated. Some people also experience dry mouth, which is a side effect of certain medications or certain medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. If you find that your dry mouth doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor about mouth sprays or rinses.
3. Moderate Your Sugar Intake
Sugar itself is not harmful to your teeth–rather, it is that sugar feeds the bacteria that produce enamel-eroding acids on your teeth and attracts the bacteria that cause gum disease. Try to rinse your mouth with water after ingesting a sugar drink, snack, or dessert. If you don’t keep up your daily brushing and flossing ritual while regularly eating sugar, you could increase your risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis.
4. Stop Tobacco Use
If you chew tobacco or smoke cigarettes, you should consider quitting to improve your teeth and oral health. People who smoke also have a higher risk of oral cancer, gum problems, tooth loss, root decay, and complications following tooth extractions and gum and mouth surgery. In fact, about 43 percent of adults aged 65 and over who are current smokers have lost all their teeth.
5. Visit The Dentist Twice A Year
Even if you do not have toothaches or other evident dental problems, it is important to see your dentist twice a year or every six months. This is because your dentist can clean your teeth thoroughly and provide an expert assessment of any issues you may have overlooked. When it comes to dental care, the best care may be preventative rather than corrective. If your smile is already jeopardized Aloe Dental Wellness has several restorative treatments available to enhance your smile.
Dr. Cadavid, who speaks Spanish, is excited to provide UCSB students and staff, as well as the surrounding communities, with a brand-new office equipped with the latest technology and procedure available. Our clinic is proud to provide general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry services to meet the needs of your entire family as well. Please call us at (805) 454-7727 to book a consultation today!
