When you're at your six-month dental
visit and the dentist talks to you about home care for your teeth,
they typically focus on home cleaning. And since you're there for a
cleaning, it makes sense that cleaning is the focus of patient
education. But the downside is that since there's not a lot of time
during the visit, not every aspect of dental health can be covered
equally.
Here are a few factors other than
brushing and flossing that can affect your dental health even if you
don't hear about them as often.
1. The Food You Eat
Your dentist may mention that simple
carbohydrates, such as sugar and white breads, can have a negative
impact on your teeth. The timing of what you eat is also
important. Snacking for hours at a time means feeding the bad
bacteria an all-they-can-eat buffet throughout the day.
A starch-heavy diet is not only full of
sugars but also unlikely to help your teeth stay at optimal health.
Eat more vegetables and other bone-friendly foods such as eggs and
fish to help get those nutrients into you so they're more likely to
be available when your teeth need them.
This doesn't mean you need to make a
complete 180 and go cold turkey on breads and sugars. Start by
reading through a list of foods that are
great for your teeth. Do you really like any of those foods--say eggs
or asparagus? Eat those foods more often and experiment with
preparation methods (after checking with your doctor if you have any
health concerns).
2. Sleep and Stress
If your dentist notices that your molar
surfaces are worn down, he or she may realize you grind your teeth at
night and prescribe a night guard. But in some cases, nighttime
grinding can be a result of too much stress, which can even cause you
to clench your jaw during the day as well. A night guard protects
enamel but can't stop you from clenching.
The more you grind your teeth at night,
the more stress you put on your jaw. This leads to problems with your
jaw joint (the temporomandibular joint) that are known as TMJ
syndrome or TMJ disorder. The constant stress also irritates and
inflames your gums and cause them to recede, exposing vulnerable and
sensitive cementum on your tooth surfaces.
Try incorporating a stress reduction
technique or two before bed — such as deep breathing, drinking
chamomile tea, or journaling — and take a look at your life to see
if you can eliminate some of the things that stress you out. You may
also want to talk to your doctor about getting a sleep study.
3. Water and Supplements
Food isn't the only part of your diet
that's important either. The water you drink plays a critical role;
if you're dehydrated, you'll have less saliva to provide minerals and
wash away food particles, which means your teeth will have fewer
defenses against decay. Keep yourself hydrated to protect your teeth.
Supplements can be a useful tool for
tooth health as well. Fish oil, for example, helps boost beneficial
fatty acids if you can't afford to eat fish regularly. Hydrolyzed
collagen provides proteins that your teeth, your gums, and the
ligaments that hold your teeth in place need to stay healthy. Talk to
your doctor before adding supplements to your routine.
If you're looking for an experienced
dental professional or you realize your next checkup is due soon, get
in touch with the dental office of Michael
G Landy DDS. We're here to provide full dental services from your
family, from general to cosmetic to orthodontic services.
