Healthy Tips For A Healthy Smile

Here at Southwest Portland Dental, a dentist in Hillsdale Portland we care about your health not just your teeth. The truth is your oral care regimen is just as important as your overall health care routine. The way you treat your body has a huge impact on your teeth and smile. When you take care of yourself, you feel better and you will naturally want to smile more. Here are easy tips to help you take care of your teeth.

Eat Fresh Leafy Greens

Eating a diet high in fiber and calcium is good for your overall health as well as your teeth. The leafy green vegetables are a great source of fiber and they can act as nature’s toothbrush. The calcium is good for your teeth and bones as well. It helps keep them strong. The springtime is a good time to visit the local farmers market and you can get fresh vegetables and help support your community.

Brush Often

We all know that brushing your teeth at least twice a day will help you have healthier teeth. But Doctor Howard R. Jarvis recommends brushing your teeth after every meal. When you brush your teeth after every meal, you have a beter chance of removing plaque and food particle build up. This will reduce the amount of cavities and bacteria in your mouth.

Drink Water or Eat Water Dense Fruits

If it is difficult for you to brush your teeth after every meal then choose to eat healthy snacks in between meals. Munching on an apple can help you improve the quality and health of your teeth. They say apples are nature’s toothbrushes, because they are so fiber reach and full of water. The water helps maintain a healthy mouth by removing bacteria and food particles in your mouth. The more you drink the better your teeth with look and feel.

Floss Daily

We can’t stress enough how important it is to floss every day. Many patients come in and tell us it hard to floss regularly because it hurts their gums or they bleed. We suggest finding floss that is gentle on your gums; silk thread vs. wax is a good alternative to tradition flosses. The more you floss the easier and less painful it will become. It is like working out. When you first start you are sore but the more you do it the stronger you will get. The same thing is true with your gums. The more you floss the stronger your mouth will become.