Many people want a bright smile but don’t always follow the right habits that support a healthy mouth. Let's face it, our lifestyle choices do affect our oral hygiene. Habits like chewing ice, smoking, eating too much sugar, not brushing long enough, and skipping flossing can harm your smile and overall oral health. It's time to stop these bad habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Here are five simple lifestyle changes to improve your teeth and gums.
1. Munch on Apples
An apple a day keeps the dentist away! How's that sound? Funny it is, but yes, it really does work wonders! According to some articles, chewing apples or other crunchy fruits stimulates your gums and boosts saliva production, which is your mouth’s natural cleanser. When salivary glands don't make sufficient saliva, it leads to a dry mouth, or also known as Xerostomia. With dry mouth, you don't have enough saliva to neutralize acids in your mouth or wash away organisms. This dry environment contributes to bacterial growth, and plaque builds up faster, which is a perfect recipe for tooth decay.
2. Watch What You Eat
Do you tend to crave and eat sweets consistently? Then, maybe you have a sweet tooth. A sweet tooth is a regular or consistent craving for sweets, like candy, chocolate, cookies, and cakes. You may not be surprised to find out that having a sweet tooth can be dangerous to your teeth. Having a sweet tooth in itself is not bad but constantly giving in to your sweet tooth is bad. Our mouths are naturally filled with bacteria, and these bacteria eat sugar. When you give in to your sweet tooth, you are feeding the bacteria in your mouth. As the bacteria eat sugar, they produce acid as a by-product. By eating lots of sugar, you are essentially lowering the pH in your mouth, creating an acidic environment. An acidic mouth is an unhealthy mouth. Bad bacteria thrive in an acidic environment, so your risk for cavities and gum disease increases. In order to not make it worse, we have to limit our sugar intake by lessening our sweets. Instead of snacking on sweets like cookies and cakes, you can alternately snack healthy foods like fruits which also promotes healthy diet. Sugary and acidic foods can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion, while a diet rich in vitamins and minerals strengthens teeth and gums. Limiting your sugar intake not just lets you promote a healthy diet but also helps promote healthy teeth. Also, try making simple changes, like not adding sugar to coffee or tea and avoiding candies, soda and processed foods. If this lifestyle change doesn't work on your sweet tooth, then you can just try to incorporate lifestyle change no. 5 below.
3. Drink Smart
According to one study that compiled research on the beverage's oral health effects, green tea is more than a soothing drink, it may also help ward off bacteria, prevent cavities, and freshen your breath. Meanwhile, cut down on soda, coffee, and wine which can stain teeth and erode enamel. If you enjoy consuming these types of drinks, try to rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking. This can help to prevent the pigments from settling on your teeth. Additionally, consider using a straw when drinking certain beverages to minimize contact with your teeth. Drink plenty of water to rinse away debris and keep your mouth healthy.
Related Article: The Role of Food and Drink in Teeth Staining: What to Avoid
4. Kick the Habit
Do you agree that smoking is a habit that is bad for you in all sorts of ways? Even the World Health Organization requires certain countries to implement large and rotating health warnings on all tobacco products packaging and labelling to warn the public about the dangers of tobacco use. Overuse of tobacco is no good for you and your oral health is no exception. Smoking is a major culprit behind yellow teeth, blackened gums, and worse is, increased risk of gum disease. Quitting tobacco products is crucial for maintaining a healthy, vibrant smile. If you’re struggling to quit, talk to your dentist for advice on resources and strategies that can help.
5. Brush Like a Pro
How often and how long do you brush your teeth in a day? People often get lazy when it comes to brushing their teeth but in order to prevent surface stains and plaque buildup, which can lead to discoloration, brushing is a must. Did you know that it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time you brush? This recommendation is from the American Dental Association. Aim for two minutes of brushing with a soft brush angled at 45 degrees. Replace your toothbrush every two months to keep bacteria at bay. Complement your brushing routine by flossing after meals to remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup. If you’re looking to brighten your smile even further, check out the bonus tip on the latter part of this article!
6. Schedule Regular Check-ups
In addition to each of these lifestyle changes, you can schedule a visit to your dentist for cleanings and checkups. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential to help detect problems early and maintain your oral health.
Bonus Tip: Try Using VieBeauti Deluxe Teeth Whitening Kit!
If you’re looking to brighten your smile even further, try using VieBeauti Deluxe Teeth Whitening Kit! Our kit comes with a pre-mixed whitening gel syringes that are mess-free and easy to use in the privacy of your home, without expensive dentist visits. Plus it has five powerful LED bulbs that accelerate our teeth whitener gel to break-up and dissolve stubborn stains caused by food, wine, smoking and aging. It also has a 10-minute timer that lets you relax with a book or tackle other tasks without watching the clock. In just 3 short sessions totaling 30 minutes, you will see visibly brighter and whiter teeth. So stop wasting money and time in a dental chair. Regain your youthful, stain-free smile in the privacy of your home, for a fraction of the cost!
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