Aside from brushing and flossing, there are other factors that influence a healthy smile. Maintaining a well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to ensure you keep your enamel strong. The following list is comprised of five different methods you can use to keep your New Year’s resolution for maintaining a healthy smile.
Maintain a Healthy diet
A well-balanced diet is just as important as daily hygiene habits. Poor nutrition not only has a negative effect on the entire immune system, but it also leads to deterioration of the enamel and gums. A weakened immune system can ultimately increase the risk of contracting various oral disorders, to include gum disease, cavities, gingivitis, and more.
Patients are strongly encouraged to maintain a well-balanced diet rich with fruits and vegetables. Fruits are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals help to build and strengthen the enamel. Likewise, foods like vegetables and nuts are known for their ability to improve the body’s overall ability to combat inflammation and bacteria. These foods are also rich in minerals that help to protect the teeth and gums.
Furthermore, it is best to consume vegetables when they are raw, as you are more likely to read plaque from your teeth and obtain fresh breath. even still vegetables in any form are better than consuming new vegetables at all.
Make Healthy Beverage Choices
Alcohol can be a good thing if done in moderation. Limiting alcohol consumption to one serving a day if you are a woman, and two servings the day, if you are male, can greatly improve your oral health. Studies have shown that individuals who consume an excessive amount of alcohol are more likely haven’t increased risk of gum recession than those who don’t. Additionally, these Studies have shown that smokers who consume alcohol on a regular basis are also less likely to conduct oral hygiene on a regular basis. They reportedly tend to show less concern for their oral health.
It is important to note that although there are whitening products readily available, these products are not the best for the enamel when used in excessive amounts. thus, we strongly encourage our patients to rely more on healthy oral hygienic practices as opposed to cosmetic temporary fixes.
Stop using tobacco products
People who use tobacco products are twice as likely to suffer from tooth loss than people who don’t smoke it all. Using tobacco not only harms your health, it is also a large contributor to tooth discoloration, recession of gums, cavities, and gum disease. It is the leading cause of oral, throat, and lung cancer.
On the plus side, the sooner you break this unhealthy habit, the sooner your body will begin to repair itself. The risk of cancer and tooth loss decreases immediately after you quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco.
Interested to learn more on how to keep your teeth health?
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