As humans we seem to have an instinct to fear the dentist. Most of us would rather undergo evasive life changing surgery than visit the dentist twice a year.
Although dental check ups do have their value, there are things that we can do to stay out of the dentist’s chair. By avoiding bad habits, eating healthy and maintaining good oral hygiene, beautiful white teeth can be the result. A reduced number of trips to the dentists is also a welcome change.
One of the first aspects of preventive dentistry is knowing what to avoid. There are several bad habits that we can get into in life that damage our teeth and overall health. One of the worst offenders is smoking. The nicotine from smoking can leave stains on the teeth that are next to impossible to remove with regular brushing. When the smoke is inhaled it penetrated into the natural groves and inlets of the teeth. This is very hard to clean and usually requires quite evasive dental cleaning instruments. Those that smoke are also putting themselves at greater risk for mouth ulcers and cancers to say nothing of the damage to one’s overall health. Best to kick the habit before serious damage is done.
Certain types of drink are also not good for the teeth. Red wine is a serious offender. It stains teeth horribly and is very difficult to remove. An occasional indulgence of red wine won’t do much harm but these stains will build up quite quickly. Mouthwashes need to be chosen quite carefully as well. Some contain chemical that can stain and harm teeth. It is best to choose mouthwashes that are non-microbial.
Some good advice in practicing preventive dentistry is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many of the things that are good for our bodies are also good for our oral health. Believe it or not, regular exercise can have a very positive impact on one’s teeth and gums. Regular exercise reduces the amount of stress contained in the body. Stress and anxiety increase the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
By exercising you’re keeping stress levels low and decreasing the amount of damage being done to your teeth by bacteria. There are also the added health benefits of regular exercise to the body.
Eating foods rich in vitamin C is also a great way to stay away from the dentists drill. Foods like lemons, mangoes, papayas and kiwi fruits all are rich in this nutrient. They also have natural cleaning and cleansing abilities for the mouth. The fiber in some of these fruits also helps the mouth create saliva. This acts as natural rinsing agents for the mouth, aiding the cleaning process even more. Vitamin C is also good for the body. It helps us fight colds and flues as well as taste great.
Getting a good supply of vitamin D is also highly recommended. Vitamin D is very good for building connective tissue throughout the body. It helps with injuries in a variety of places and is particularly useful in fighting gum disease. Vitamin D is available through many dairy products. Milk and cheese are the richest sources. If you’re not a fan of dairy foods then you can get vitamin D though exposure to the sun. 15-20 minutes a day should be sufficient.
Eating foods rich in essential oils is recommended for the body. However there are also links to good dentistry. Foods like nuts, avocadoes and fish are rich in the essential oils the body needs to stay healthy. They also have healing properties and act as natural antibiotics. These again are helpful in treating gum diseases and mouth sores.
Finally, good oral hygiene is needed to keep the dentist away. Your teeth should be brushed a minimum of twice a day. There are several natural toothpastes you can buy that do just as good of a job than the standard brands. This removes plaque and bacteria as well as keeps the mouth fresh and clean. Many dentists recommend a rotating toothbrush rather than the regular types. These remove more plaque from the teeth and are better equipped to get in at the gum line. If you don’t like rotating toothbrushes make sure you change your toothbrush regularly.
Our dentists are generally nice people. However, they are the people we tend to visit the least. In order to keep these visits to a minimum, maintain a good overall health regime. Don’t smoke and keep consumption of red wines to a minimum. Cut down on rich sweet foods and replace them with fruits, nuts and raw vegetables. Good and regular oral hygiene is necessary as well. By putting this into practice you will avoid trips to the dentist. The only treatments you will likely need will be routine.