Easy Tips For Protecting Your Tooth Enamel

Many things can be done to reduce the risk of damaging your tooth's enamel, including avoiding eating certain foods and practicing good oral hygiene. Regular checkups can detect damage before it becomes a bigger problem. Here are some guidelines to help protect your tooth enamel.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

As bacteria forms in the mouth and unites with sugar, acid is created. Fluoride protects and begins to strengthen the enamel already damaged. A dentist may also recommend a fluoride rinse for extreme cases.

Apply Dental Varnish

Dental varnish is a mixture of fluoride, phosphate, and calcium. Saliva is essential to protect your teeth against cavities, but the varnish will protect all areas including between the teeth. It only takes a minute for application by a dental specialist, and you can drink or eat immediately. However, you should stay on a soft diet and wait to floss or brush for approximately four to six hours after the treatment.

Use a Soft Brush: Don't over-brush your teeth. A hard brush can damage the enamel as well as the gums. A softer brush is a safer and healthier option because it will remove the plaque without destroying the enamel's surface or causing pain.

What to Avoid

The best advice for protection of your tooth's enamel is to avoid some of the following treats:

• Tea and Coffee: These two culprits can stain your teeth. Do you add sugar? If so, you are making a breeding ground for cavities.
• Replace Soda with Water: Caffeinated and carbonated soft drinks attack if you sip on them for an extended amount of time. Even though sports drinks sound like a healthy choice, be sure to choose one that is low in sugar content. Try to drink some water to wash away the bacteria created with sugary soda.
• Limit Junk Food: Hard candy is loaded with sugar and can cause a broken tooth. Crunchy chips can cause damage as well.
• Avoid Sticky Foods: If you enjoy trail mix or dried fruit, you need to reconsider. If you do consume these yummy treats, be sure to rinse them down with some water. It is also essential to brush and floss as soon as possible to avoid the cavity trail.
• Citric Foods: Acidic foods can damage teeth and cause decay. Have you ever had an irritated mouth sore and drank a glass of juice?

Using the right tools and avoiding certain foods are the best way to avoid extra time in the dentist's chair. Keep your teeth healthy and you can smile for many years to come. For more information, contact a dentist at an office like Crest Hill Family Dental.