Age is just a number. We all know at least one person who looks, acts, or even just feels young compared to their age! However, when we don’t properly care for ourselves, our body keeps the score. Our mouths are just one part of our bodies that can quickly give away our age. Many people experience tooth loss, gum recession, decay, and discoloration as they get older, but this doesn’t have to be you.

Practicing good oral hygiene and taking care of the rest of your body will reduce your risk of developing serious oral health problems in the future.

Here are five tips for healthy teeth and gums from our Grant Park dentist:

1.    Brush and floss

Good oral hygiene is an essential part of a healthy smile. However, even more important than the fact that you brush and floss is how you do it.

It’s not enough to brush once a day and floss once a week. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, patients should brush in the morning and evening, and floss daily. Here are some of our Grant Park dentist’s top brushing and flossing tips:

• Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric one
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Brush first thing in the morning and after your last meal
• If brushing after breakfast or coffee, wait at least 30 minutes
• Floss after your last meal
• Use floss picks if traditional floss is too difficult
• Floss both sides of every tooth

2.    Visit the dentist every six months

Some people go years without visiting the dentist, and when they do visit, it’s because they have an oral health problem. Dentists prefer to prevent oral health problems through cleanings and other preventive treatments rather than treat problems that have already developed.

Six-month dental visits promote good oral health, brighten teeth, and allow dentists to catch oral health problems in their earliest stages.

3.    Eat properly

What we put in our mouths has an enormous effect on our oral health. Foods filled with starches and sugars eat away at dental enamel and promote the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Stick to food groups that promote good oral and overall health, like:

• Calcium-rich foods
• Protein
• Fruits
• Veggies

A healthy, balanced diet helps us achieve a healthy, balanced mouth.

4.    Exercise

For patients who suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), exercise is an enormous help. Teeth grinding often results from high-stress levels and can even be a result of too much energy. Exercise relieves stress and expends energy, so the jaws don’t do it at night.

Dentists usually recommend exercise to complement other effective treatments, such as a mouthguard, TENS Therapy, and orthodontics. Without seeking treatments, patients will likely suffer from jaw pain, headaches, cracked teeth, dental decay, ear pain, facial swelling, and neck pain.

5.    Drink plenty of water

No beverage keeps a mouth clean quite like water. Most city water systems contain fluoride, a natural element that strengthens dental enamel. Non-fluoridated water, like bottled water, is also beneficial because it doesn’t leave any unwanted sugars behind as juice or soda does.

Water also helps prevent dry mouth, bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

Visit Our Grant Park Dentist

At Smiles for Grant Park, Dr. Abbey J. Lee assists patients in achieving optimal oral health through compassionate, modern, and comprehensive dental care. For more oral health tips, or to schedule a dental cleaning and exam appointment, contact our office today at (404) 328-7177.