Nothing enhances a smile like well-maintained teeth. More importantly, teeth are essential for eating and chewing. It is, therefore, crucial that well keep our teeth healthy and strong.
While tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our bodies, it can grow weak and demineralize over time. Once it wears away, it is impossible to grow back. What follows are cavities and pain.
How do we deal with this problem? The best measure is to keep our teeth strong in the first place. We have compiled some excellent tips on how to keep your teeth strong below. Let get things underway.
1. Brush and Floss Correctly
If you want to keep your teeth strong and healthy, brush at least twice every day. Also, you should brush every time you eat food that can harm your enamel. But, ensure that you are not brushing too hard to avoid weakening the enamel.
Secondly, make sure you always use a brush with soft bristles.
Thirdly, replace your toothbrush after three months or as soon as the bristles become frayed. Typically, the brushing time should last at least two minutes.
Most importantly, always use the correct brushing technique:
- Tilt the brush at 45 degrees when brushing in back and forth motions in the inner, outer and chewing surface.
- To reach the inner spaces between your front teeth, make vertical strokes by brushing up and down. This removes bacteria embedded in the teeth. It also maintains a fresh breath for longer.
One more thing. Use floss regularly, to remove food and bacteria between your teeth. You should also visit dentists regularly for professional examinations and cleaning.
2. Avoid Sugary food and drinks
Cookies, Soft drinks, cookies, and starchy foods form acids that are harmful and dangerous to the teeth. When these acids combine with bacteria, they start breaking down the enamel. This results in enamel demineralization. In other words, sweet treats and processed food eat away minerals that are produced naturally in your enamel weakening the teeth.
Foods that cling on teeth for a long time cause tooth decay. Some of these foods include sugar, soda, cake, chips, and ice cream. Ideal food for strong teeth should be easily washed away by saliva.
Here is another point. Diet rich in starch and sugar creates bacteria that destroy the enamel. The bacteria produce acid that causes sensitivity, weakness, and discoloration of teeth. It is, therefore, prudent to look out for foods that have high acidity.
Lastly, avoid drinking sodas and sugary drinks. The prudent decision when you are thirsty is to take a glass of plain water.
3. Eat foods that remineralize your Teeth
Tooth enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the body. It made up of calcium and phosphorus. Demineralization occurs when the acids wear away the enamel.
The good news is that phosphorus and calcium can remineralize the vulnerable spots. Similarly, zinc is essential in strengthening the teeth. It can even prevent and reduce teeth demineralization.
To enhance your dental should eat whole, nutrient-rich, and unprocessed food. The food should be rich in calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. Some great sources of zinc include kales, cabbages, tofu, and broccoli. Phosphorous is found in plenty in food such as lentil and pumpkin seeds. Beans, dairy, oysters, and also pumpkin are some of the foods rich in zinc.
Dairy products also have high phosphorous and calcium concentration which strengthen and remineralize the enamel. Additionally, they promote saliva secretion. Beef and other animal proteins are also suitable for strong teeth as they contain calcium and phosphorus.
What’s more? High vitamin intake also promotes healthy teeth. Vitamin D enhances phosphorus and calcium absorption, while vitamin K2 ensures the calcium goes to teeth and bones. Vitamin D also prevents cavities. You should, therefore, aim to take a diet rich in vitamins.
But that’s not all. You should aim to eat more strawberries to strengthen your teeth. They contain antioxidants and vitamin C. Additionally; these fruits contain malic acid that removes harmful tartar enamel and whitens your teeth.
4. Use Right toothpaste and brush
If the statement by the American Dental Association is anything to go by, Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. Fluoride strengthens the teeth and repairs the early stages of food decay. Therefore, fluoride toothpaste is recommendable for strong teeth. Check out the best teeth whitening toothpaste.
Children should start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears. Also, rinsing with fluoride mouthwash keeps enamel strong and prevents cavities.
5. Chew sugar- free gum
Chewing sugarless gum keeps saliva flowing in your mouth. Saliva washes away food and bacteria that cause cavities. It remedies the effects of acidic food. Moreover, sugarless gum removes plaque, carbs, and sugar from teeth. For best results, chew sugar-free gums between or after meals.
Always hydrate after exercise and workouts to prevent your mouth from drying up. If you have medical conditions that cause dry mouth, be sure to speak to your doctor.
6. Consider Probiotics
Probiotics essentially help to protect teeth from harmful substances. They balance your system and enhance nutrient absorption in the body. Consequently, the minerals and vitamins reinforce the strength of your body. Ensure that you take probiotics that are produced in the body to avoid introducing potentially harmful strains.
7. Treat gastrointestinal problems
Body functions are interrelated more than you would think. Severe heartburns cause stomach acid to escape. When the acid reaches the mouth, it seriously destroys the teeth. If you experience this problem, you should talk to your doctor
8. Avoid Grinding
Teeth’s grinding, also known as bruxism is a condition in which people clench or gnash their teeth. Sometimes bruxism happens unconsciously. Over time this condition leads to tooth enamel wearing done.
This habit sometimes causes teeth to chip, flatten and fracture. If you have a grinding habit, it is prudent to speak to your Invisalign Dentist in Brentwood CA. You will want to consider custom-fitted guards to protect your teeth.
Conclusion
Teeth are exposed to numerous elements that cause mineral loss. Similarly, teeth are subjected to a lot of wear and tear from food, drinks, bacteria, and saliva. In the long run, too much demineralization can wear them down. It is therefore essential to take steps to remineralize and strengthen your teeth beforehand.
