11 Natural Ways to Improve Your Dental Health

Having healthy and strong teeth is closely linked to having strong self-confidence, too. Some people are lucky to have good teeth genes and they don’t experience any problems with their dental health. However, whether you’re one of these fortunate people or not, proper dental care and regular check-ups with your family dentist in Albuquerque are important for keeping your teeth strong and your smile beautiful. And if you really care about your dental health, here are 11 natural things you can do that will improve it which we’ll share with you in this article.

1. Don’t smoke

Smoking and chewing tobacco makes your teeth yellowish, gives you bad breath and increases the risk of getting gum disease. It also weakens your immune system and that makes it harder for your body to fight infections. Many smokers become mouth breathers which affect your saliva production and may be linked to heart diseases. Besides this, smoking is bad for your skin, causes respiratory problems and has negative effects on your whole body, so you have all the reasons to quit smoking right now.

2. Drink a lot of water

Drinking enough water each day has a lot of benefits for your body. It keeps you hydrated and neutralizes acidity caused by certain foods and beverages that damage tooth enamel and cause decay.   It also helps wash away food particles and bacteria in your mouth and between your teeth. Try drinking more tap water which in most areas contains fluoride which is beneficial to your teeth and makes them stronger.

3. Eat a nutritious diet

If you follow a balanced and nutritious diet, that will promote the remineralization of your teeth and the strength of your tooth enamel. Try incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, chicken and fish in order to receive the good nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium that will protect your teeth. It’s also important to avoid foods and beverages that contain sugar, especially sodas. However, keep in mind that sugar-free sodas are also bad for your teeth because they’re very acidic and can still cause damage.

4. Avoid acidic foods

Acids in certain foods can erode your tooth’s enamel and that leads to cavities and tooth decay. Acidity can also make your teeth discolored and sensitive. You don’t need to completely eliminate acidic foods from your diet but it’s important to know which foods are highly acidic so that you can balance their intake. Some highly acidic foods and drinks are lemons, pickles, alcohol, and coffee. It’s a good idea to drink lemon water and coffee with a straw in order to eliminate the negative effects of the acids.

5. Remember to floss

Surveys show that most adults don’t floss their teeth and that is just as important as brushing. Flossing can remove little food particles from the gaps between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach and that can help prevent cavities and built up plaque. Flossing is also beneficial for your gums because they eliminate bacteria that can cause gum infections. So try flossing morning and night, even if that seems boring and unnecessary to you and you will take your dental health to the next level.

6. Scrape your tongue

A lot of bacteria stays on your tongue so if you want to have a really clean mouth, it’s important to scrape your tongue. You can also use your toothbrush or buy a special tongue scraper that will remove bacteria and leave you a with breath and great clean feeling. You can clean your tongue before or after brushing your teeth. There is no specific order required but it’s highly recommended that you incorporate this in your oral hygiene routine.

7. Use a night mouth guard if necessary

If you clench or grind your teeth, especially at night, you might want to invest in a mouth guard. Grinding your teeth destroys your enamel which can make lead to severe tooth sensitivity and other dental complications. So, if you suffer from teeth grinding, make an appointment with Dr. Gallegos and he can give you all the information you need to know about mouth guards.

8. Chew on xylitol gum

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that bacteria can’t eat but are fooled into thinking they can. This way they starve to death and are not able to damage your teeth. Chewing on sugar-free and aspartame-free gum that’s sweetened by Xylitol increases salivation that helps fight bacteria and reduces plaque and gum disease. So, if you have the habit of chewing gum, switch to Xylitol sweetened one to get the most out of it.

9. Gargle with salt water or a natural mouthwash

Gargling with warm water and sea salt will help alkalinize your mouth and eliminate bacteria. You can also use baking soda or a natural mouthwash. Try doing this at least twice a day. However, you can do so after every meal for best results and for a healthy oral environment.

10. Invest in good dental care products

If you want the best for your mouth, you need to use the best tools. Pay attention to the products you buy for your oral hygiene. Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles that don’t hurt your gums. Electric toothbrushes are a great choice as well because they’re better at eliminating bacteria. You should also choose a toothpaste that’s suitable for your teeth. For example, if your teeth are sensitive,  make your research and buy a toothpaste that will help you with this.

11. Consult your dentist regularly

Even if you don’t have any concerns and feel that everything is okay with your dental health, you should still go to your dentist once every six months. Your dentist can examine your teeth thoroughly and find cavities or other dental conditions in their earliest stage and fix them before they cause any damage. And if you notice some spots on your teeth or a mouth sore, make an appointment even that ‘s not in your biannual schedule. Excessive tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums are also signs you should see a professional and not try healing that on your own.

Making small changes in your day-to-day routine can do miracles for your smile, so follow these 11 tips and the recommendations of your dentist in Albuquerque to keep your dental health good and to reduce the expenses of dental procedures. Health and happiness are all about balance, so remember you can still enjoy a piece of your favorite dessert and if you take care of your oral hygiene, you can prevent most of the negative effects of your guilty pleasures.