Surprising and Often Overlooked Tips for Good Oral Health

Most people know that for good oral health, they need to brush and floss their teeth regularly. These are certainly very important steps for taking proper care of your teeth and your gums, but they're not the only things you can do to keep your mouth healthy and to make your teeth as strong as possible. While a dentist can give you personalized advice for your own oral health, note a few other tips for how to care for your teeth and gums in between dental visits.

1. Eat Calcium-Rich Foods

Dairy foods are full of protein and calcium, both of which help to strengthen the teeth. Also note that many brands of almond milk have high calcium content, so if you don't like drinking dairy milk, check the cartons of your favorite brand of almond milk. Get into the habit of reading the labels of your favorite foods and choose those that are high in calcium content so your teeth are healthy and strong.

2. Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing helps to stimulate the production of saliva. In turn, you naturally wash away more bacteria from food particles in your mouth as you chew, since saliva will pick up these particles from the teeth and gums as it circulates. Chewing gum with sugar is not healthy as the sugar can damage your teeth, but chewing sugarless gum can stimulate and circulate saliva in your mouth. This is especially good to do after a meal when food particles may be left behind and if you can't brush your teeth right after eating. You might also get into the habit of chewing sugarless gum regularly throughout the day in order to keep your mouth healthy.

3. Avoid Products That Dry Your Mouth

A mouth rinse can help to get food particles and other debris out from the areas of your mouth that you've missed with brushing and flossing, and these products can make your breath smell fresh. However, you don't want to overdo it with products that can dry your mouth. As said, saliva helps to rinse away bacteria and food particles so your mouth is healthier and cleaner, but products with alcohol can actually dry your mouth. Note the ingredients on your mouthwash or rinse and if you see any type of alcohol listed, be sure you don't use it more than recommended on the label. Consider rinsing your mouth with water after the mouthwash. This will ensure your teeth and gums don't become too dry.

If you have any other questions about other tips for healthy teeth, contact a local dentist to discuss your concerns.


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