5 Ways to Boost Your Oral Health this Summer
The summer months are a great time for self care. Most of us start to get a little more exercise in, eat a little better, and even remember to put on our sunscreen. Why not just add one or two extra steps into your daily routine to also benefit your oral health? Here are five tips from our Newport Beach dentist to help you make your smile just a little healthier than it was before!
Brush One Extra Time Per Day
Are you still working remotely? Maybe you’re just working from home a couple of days a week? Then there’s practically no excuse; go ahead and try to fit one extra toothbrushing session into your daily routine. You’ve already got morning and bedtime down, now shoot for mid-day. Our dentist in Newport Beach will be able to tell the difference when it’s time for your checkup.
Even if you are back at the office, consider keeping a spare toothbrush in your desk drawer. Whenever you pop out for lunch, get a brushing session in before you sit back down at your desk.
Chew Gum with Xylitol in It
Did you know that sugar-free gum with Xylitol as the main sweetener can help you fight cavities? Xylitol interferes with plaque buildup and physically prevents it from sticking to your teeth (we won’t get too scientific with you, but it has to do with the carbon molecules.) So, anytime you chew gum with Xylitol in it, you’re combatting the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Our Newport Beach dentist recommends using it when you’re out and about and don’t have a toothbrush on hand.
Xylitol gum can also help stimulate saliva production, which is great if you tend to have problems with dry mouth! A well-lubricated mouth is statistically less likely to experience as many cavities compared to people with dry mouth.
Trade Out Your Bottled Water
Maybe you’re getting plenty of water intake, but all of it is coming from commercial bottled water companies. As a cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach, we sometimes see people not get enough fluoride in their diet because of what it is they’re drinking. Bottled water is just one example. Many commercial bottled waters don’t have regulated fluoride levels like what we have in our municipal water system. AKA “the tap.” Yes, keep drinking water. But make one change: swap your normal bottle out with a reusable one that you have on hand every day. Get your water straight from the tap for that extra little bit of fluoride protection.
Sleep in a Nightguard
Our lives have been some of the most stress-filled ever experienced by an entire generation. All of us have been affected by the pandemic in one way or another. Whether it’s losing a loved one or a job, depression caused by not seeing family across the country, or something else, we’ve all felt it. And there’s a natural response that many of us experience when we experience stress: bruxism.
Bruxism is chronic teeth clenching and grinding. It can happen in the daytime hours or particularly when you’re sleeping at night. You tend to wake up with a sore jaw, earaches, migraines, neck and shoulder pain, and more. And then there’s what bruxism does to your teeth: enamel wear, chipping, fractured dental work, etc.
Fortunately, sleeping in a properly fitted mouthguard can help to save your smile (and reduce the pain.) Just be sure to wear one that’s professionally fitted, as it will offer the best level of protection and comfort.
Clean Between Every Tooth
When you take your car through the drive through carwash you don’t expect it to skip the doors on both sides. But that’s exactly what’s happening if you’re not flossing your teeth every day when you brush. If you hate flossing, we understand. It’s a common occurrence we see in our Newport Beach dentist office. Fortunately, there are other ways to clean between every tooth. Such as using a water flosser or floss picks.
Most issues with cavities and gum disease all originate between the teeth, in those lesser-cleaned spaces. By making a point to clean between your teeth every day, you can make a significant impact on both your teeth and gums alike.
Just remember, healthy gums don’t bleed. If your gums are bleeding when you’re flossing, it’s probably because of a bacterial infection going on underneath them. Fortunately, daily flossing after a couple of weeks should reverse all of the symptoms of early gingivitis before it progresses into gum disease.
Visit Our Dentist in Newport Beach
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen our Newport Beach dentist, it’s time to schedule your six month checkup. Call The Center For Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry today to reserve an appointment.
About Dr. Yazdan
