4801 Southern Hills Dr, Sioux City, IA 51106, USA

A Quick Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums

Share This Post

You brush. You floss (sometimes). But are you really caring for your teeth the right way? Brush up on these quick oral care tips, and you’ll see whiter pearly whites in no time.

  • Don’t skip flossing. According to the American Dental Association, only half of Americans floss daily, with up to 18% foregoing flossing altogether. This is bad news for the health of your mouth. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria that can get stuck in between teeth, protecting you from tooth decay and gum disease. It can also help fight dry mouth
  • Follow up coffee and sugary drinks with water. The sugar and acidity in certain beverages like coffee, soda, and some juices can erode tooth enamel and contribute to plaque buildup. But a quick swish of water can help rinse your mouth, and ups the production of saliva, helping to remove tooth and gum-harming bacteria. Rinsing with water can also help combat those unsightly coffee stains that can form on the surface of your teeth.
  • In fact, try and cut down on sugars and starches overall. Sweets and starches create a breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth. This can lead to a build up of plaque, resulting in cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Sugars also create an acidic environment in your mouth, demineralizing and weakening your teeth.
  • Schedule regular dental checkups. It can be hard fitting another appointment into an already packed schedule, but this one is worth it. At a dental checkup, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and give you a snapshot of the health of your mouth. That way, you can take the right steps outside of the office to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
  • Load up on tooth-friendly vitamins and minerals. Strong, healthy teeth aren’t simply a product of brushing and flossing. They’re also the result of a nutrient-rich diet full of mouth-friendly vitamins and minerals. Make sure you’re getting enough calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamins C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. And don’t forget iron, zinc, and magnesium. You can find those in red meat, liver, whole wheat, dark, leafy greens, and dark chocolate.

Posted on behalf of Whispering Creek Dental

More To Explore

How To Take Care Of Your Children Oral Health
Pediatric Dentistry

How To Take Care Of Your Children Oral Health

Ensuring optimal oral health for our children is paramount for their overall well-being. Children also require dental care to keep their teeth and gums healthy,

What Can You Do For Bad Breath
Oral Health

What Can You Do For Bad Breath?

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing and often distressing issue for many individuals. It’s a common problem that affects people of