My teeth are not the best because I grind them when I sleep but I want to keep them in the best shape that I can as I age. My parents put braces on me when I was a kid so that I would have a nice smile and I wasnt to have a great smile well into senior life. I did some research and this is what I found.
Floss, Floss, Floss Brushing can’t clean the small gaps between the teeth, and it certainly can’t remove food debris and plaque from the sides of the backmost molars. Flossing can do all of these and efficiently clean the teeth from front to back. I use the Floss sticks, my Dentist hates them but too bad, they work for me. I think this is the most important thin I can do to keep my pearly white strong.
Stim-U Dent
I love these things. My Dentist suggested these because we would be traveling. They are tiny pieces of wood sticks that are used to keep the gums nice and firm. Rubbing the gums with these sticks prevents gingivitis. It actually feels good and I believe I cought these at Walgreens but I'm here's the link on Amazon.
Drink a lot of water Water helps wash away food and bacteria left in and around the mouth. It also neutralizes acidity that can erode tooth enamel and weaken the teeth. I will make it a habit to rinse my mouth or gargle with water every after meals so that I can get all of those leftover bits and pieces out of my mouth. Gross!
No smoking I'm so lucky that I stopped smoking seven years ago. Smoking made my teeth look yellow and it also gave me bad breath. I reaked of that smoke smell. Smoking also has negative effects on majority of the body organs, which means more reasons to kick the habit. Besides white teeth, I feel so much better. This is great for me going into the "Second Half.
I am what I eat Teeth also need nutrition to develop and function properly. Eating a balanced diet meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy will provide me with all of the nutrients that my teeth need, such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and phosphorus. I take a Vitamin D Supplement because I don't absorb enough D because of my Thyroid. I have to listen to my body an my teeth.
Be aware of acidic foods, my favorite Acidity increases the risk of tooth decay and cavity formation because it breaks down the tooth enamel, exposing the dentin and allowing bacteria to penetrate the tooth surface. I don’t have to completely avoid acidic foods, but portion control is key. I drink lemon juice and apple cider vinegar each morning with my Spirulina drink. I also enjoy hot sauce on everything, but portion control Jacqui!
Avoid clenching or grinding teeth My worst habit is grinding my teeth in my sleep. I have cracked my teeth and my front teeth are so thin my Dentist said I may need to cap them all in the fiture. I don't want that to happen. I have a night guard, but end up looking for it in the sheets the next morning. I must get better at this and trying not grind my teeth. Clenching or grinding my teeth can result to attrition, a kind of wear caused by teeth-to-teeth contact. When this happens, the dentin becomes exposed and I may experience severe tooth sensitivity. It's not this bad yet, but I need to really get this under control for the "Second Half". I just went to get my night guard and I can't even find it. I'm a mess when it comes to my night guard. Thank goodness we got four extra before sailing off.
Know the symptoms
Bleeding gums, excessive tooth sensitivity, and even discolored teeth can have underlying causes. The main cause of bleeding gums is the buildup of plaque at the gum line. This will lead to a condition called gingivitis, or inflamed gums. Plaque that is not removed will harden into tartar. This will lead to increased bleeding and a more advanced form of gum and jaw bone disease known as periodontitis. Yucky! I will do all of the steps above on a daily basis to keep my smile beautiful. Follow me as a embark on Fifty and Fabulous!
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