Smile! How to Keep your Teeth Happy and Healthy
Written by Kathryn Savage
Ever wonder, halfway through your sister’s famous cashew double caramel popcorn crunch, how much damage you’re causing your teeth? Let’s just say your dentist would not be proud. So what are the noshing and flossing habits of the toothy grinned and fabulous? You might be able to prolong oral hygiene by your diet, and keep tooth decay and periodontal disease at bay by not only your brushing and flossing habits, but also by your eating and post-eating habits.
Tooth decay is the result of acid wear and tear, but before you swear off coffee and orange juice, understand that most of the damage to your teeth starts around the time when you eat and drink. So drinking a glass of water after you down the juice might be a good idea (to rinse off some of that damaging acid). A good eating habit for oral hygiene is having a handy glass of water around to rinse after you eat, and ideally some dental floss to boot!
How to keep those pearly whites shining?
Eat
Eat a balanced diet to keep your immune system in tip top shape. A healthy immune system prevents against all kinds of infections, including oral infections.
Drink
Drink lots of water to keep your mouth fresh and hydrated and to rinse away food particles that can get stuck to teeth and infect gums.
Indulge with Awareness
If you must, (I must) occasionally indulge your weakness for saltwater taffy and Mountain Dew brush your teeth after you chew. If you can’t brush, drink a glass of water and follow it up with a piece of sugar free gum which can bind to food particles and get them out of your teeth cavities. Not to get all too-much-information-on-you but a leading cause of tooth and gum infection happens when a piece of something sticky gets caught between teeth and gums. Foods that cling to your teeth and stay in cavities promote decay so get those suckers out of there by rinsing and flossing regularly.
On the go?
So when you’re on the go and can’t brush after lunch try to avoid foods like bagels, soft drinks and popcorn. Instead stick to snacks like fruits and vegetables, nuts, yogurt and fish. These foods are great for boosting your immune system and they won’t stick as easily to teeth. If food does get stuck don’t sweat it, drink a glass of water and whip out the Orbitz Wintermint gum!
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