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Dental Hacks to Help Make You Smile

Dental Hacks to Help Make You Smile

While many people know the basics of dental health, there are many small life hacks you can make to your life that can help improve your oral health.

These life hacks may seem small, but when they are done together, and consistently, they can make huge changes. From oil pulling to taking advantage of technology to eating the right foods, there are many things any of us can do to improve our oral health!

We all know the basics of maintaining positive oral health: visit the dentist regularly, brush twice a day, and floss once a day. However, there are many small changes that anyone can make in their life that can improve their oral health. These hacks are designed to help maintain positive oral health with ease. These small life hacks, when done consistently, can make huge improvements to a person’s oral health.

Diet

Food bad for your teeth

We are familiar with what we should avoid eating: heavy sugar foods like candy, cake, and cookies, as well as highly acidic foods that can break down the teeth’s enamel. However, many people are not familiar with what to eat to improve their oral health.

First, calcium is a major component of ensuring healthy teeth and bones. Dairy is the best way to incorporate calcium into your life, but also look to non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or calcium pills/chews.

Food heavy in vitamin C is also highly effective in keeping the gums healthy.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables are also helpful because they get into nooks and crannies while being eaten and can help to remove food particles. This healthy alternative is a great dessert replacement since it can help clear out the food particles left in your mouth after dinner.

Oil Pulling

This method is discredited by many simply because they can’t believe it works! Studies have shown that oil pulling can help remove bacteria from the mouth and also freshen the breath.

For those with a persistent dry mouth, it also coats the mouth to aid in preventing that from occurring. The procedure is very simple.

Take any oil (coconut oil is recommended and works well) and swish around a few tablespoons in the mouth for about 10 – 20 minutes. Oil pulling also pulls toxins from the body, so it is important not to swallow the oil used for the pulling.

While this should not replace brushing and flossing, using it as an additional oral health aid is a smart choice.

Brushing Enough

You would actually be surprised knowing how many people do not brush their teeth for long enough. The ideal time is 2 minutes (about 30 seconds per quadrant), but many people will brush for less time.

Grab the kitchen timer or set an alarm on your phone to make sure you are brushing for the full amount of time. Even easier? Pick your favorite song that is around 2 minutes long and play it while brushing.

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Rinse Properly

While items like coffee, soda, juice, and other sugary drinks should be eliminated, this is not always possible for some. But just because you are drinking these items, doesn’t mean there are no preventive steps to take.

The simplest method is to rinse your mouth out with water anytime you drink one of these beverages. It allows you to enjoy them, but not let them cause damage to your oral health.

Quit Smoking

There are many, many reasons to consider quitting smoking cigarettes. For your oral health, it is important to remember that smokers are four times more likely to develop a form of gum disease when compared to non-smokers.

We understand that it is easier said than done, but investigating methods to help you stop smoking is not only amazing for your health—it is also helpful for your wallet.

Quitting smoking will not only save you money by not buying cigarettes, it will also save you money on future dental procedures that may have been necessary.

Take Advantage of Technology

The amazing advances in treatments and technology that have taken place in the dental field over the past few years are astounding! Many people that avoided a dental procedure or have put up with less than stellar dental work could find much easier solutions.

For example, gum surgery was previously an invasive procedure, but by using lasers, it is now a much easier procedure for both the dentist and the patient.

There are also many people dealing with issues associated with old metal fillings including cracks, temperature restriction, and unsightly appearance.

However, new technology has given us tooth-colored fillings that are stronger and more visually appealing. You may be able to upgrade your fillings and improve your smile easily.

Sugar-Free Gum to the Rescue!

Chewing gum is a slippery slope. Some chew gum with sugar in it that can cause more cavities to form on the teeth. Also, some people chew it too often, which can damage the teeth.

However, finding a balance can greatly help your overall health. Sugar-free gum with xylitol is an amazing method of getting debris out of your teeth after a meal, especially if you are not able to brush your teeth.

For those with dry mouth issues or halitosis, chewing sugar-free gum can help fight them. The chewing stimulates saliva flow, and the gum itself fights the bacteria that form in the mouth.

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Think Cosmetically

Some procedures are thought of as cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants. But these procedures can also have helpful impacts on oral health as well.

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Teeth whitening make future stains and issues more noticeable, while more invasive procedures like dental implants can greatly improve a person’s oral health when a tooth or teeth are missing.

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