Welcome back to another blog from your friends at Edgewood Dental Care. Here at our Edgewood, KY dental office, your oral health is our number one priority! That means making sure our patients have all of the tools to maintain great oral health, especially at home in their day to day lives. Many people do not know that there are some things you can do at home (aside from brushing and flossing regularly) to help improve your oral health. Today, we would like to talk to you about SIX of those things! Without any further ado, let’s talk about six ways you can improve your oral health at home (that you may not have considered before!):

Tip #1: Use a anti cavity rinse.

In addition to brushing twice per day and brushing once, you can use an anti cavity mouth rinse to help prevent decay and disease! If you are particularly prone to cavities for some reason, this may be a great option for helping to decrease your risk. Talk to our team if you would like advice on what type of rinse to use. Our dental professionals would be delighted to assist you.

Tip #2: Stop chewing ice.

Did you know that by chewing ice, you could be damaging your smile? Because ice is so hard, it can actually wear down your teeth. By chewing on ice from your drink, you are slowly damaging your teeth, potentially causing the need for restorative dental work later down the road. Protect your teeth and maintain a healthy smile by avoiding chewing ice at all costs.

Tip #3: Always use a mouthguard.

Want to protect your smile from injury during sports? Use a mouthguard! This is one of the easiest, most effective ways to prevent major damage to your teeth. During sports, it is not uncommon to see someone’s front teeth get knocked out. YOU can prevent this from happening to you by using a mouthguard. Avoid the need for restorative dentistry or to replace the teet altogether by simply protecting them from injury from the start!

Tip #4: Decrease your juice consumption.

Did you know that fruit juice can be harmful to your smile? Because it is so processed, it is mostly just made up of sugar and acid … both of which are TERRIBLE for your teeth! By decreasing your intake, you can better maintain a healthy smile. Less sugar will mean a decreased chance of developing cavities and gum disease. And if you are drinking dark colored juices (like grape juice), decreasing your consumption will also help you avoid stains on your teeth!

Tip #5: Add calcium and vitamin D.

Calcium and vitamin D are two essential substances for healthy teeth! If your diet is lacking, or you are not spending enough time outside, it could be affecting your oral health. You can start by trying to eat more calcium-rich food. Take more walks in the sun to get more vitamin D! Alternatively, consider taking a dietary supplement to make sure you are getting enough.

Tip #6: Eat more vegetables.

Eating vegetables is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Not only does it make your entire body healthier, it gives it the strength to fight off disease. This goes for your mouth as well. Eating vegetables is also a way to naturally clean your teeth! The increased chewing that crunchy vegetables require is actually very beneficial. If you are a parent, teach your kids the importance of vegetables early on. This will serve them well all throughout their lives!

How To Schedule An Appointment

Are you ready to schedule an appointment with our Edgewood, KY dental team? We would be happy to help you. Give us a call at 859-474-7830 or use our online contact form to request an appointment. We can examine your smile and make sure you are as healthy as possible! We would also be happy to answer any questions you have about keeping your smile healthy at home. We look forward to hearing from you!