Most of us learn to keep our teeth clean as children, and throughout the rest of our lives, with proper dental hygiene at home. However, besides staying clean, your teeth also need to remain strong enough to perform their duties, such as biting and chewing your food, without suffering damage. In addition to good dental hygiene, you can maintain stronger teeth with a well-balanced diet and a regular schedule of professional dental care.
How to Bulk Up Your Teeth’s Defenses
- The point of brushing and flossing your teeth every day is to remove the plaque that constantly builds up on them. The film contains several kinds of bacteria that can attack and weaken your teeth’s defensive layer of enamel, if not controlled.
- If you have the time to brush your teeth after eating, wait at least 30 minutes to do so. Immediately after your meal, your teeth’s enamel will be especially weak, and brushing them too soon can damage or strip the outer layer.
- Drinking water is the best way to rinse your mouth of tooth-attacking bacteria. Yet, drinking milk, which contains calcium and phosphate, is the best way to help maintain stronger teeth. The minerals are building blocks of your tooth enamel, and your teeth need them to maintain their enamel’s integrity.
- Be sure your toothpaste contains fluoride—a mineral that can bond to enamel to strengthen it when your teeth are especially weak. If necessary, you can also receive a topical fluoride treatment during your routine dental checkup and cleaning.
- Refrain from using your teeth to nervously chew on pens and pencils, to chew off threads of clothing, or for other purposes besides biting and chewing your food. Also, if you catch yourself grinding your teeth during the day, then do your best to stop. Repeated pressure and friction (without food between them) can damage your teeth, or excessively wear down their chewing surfaces.
ABOUT YOUR LIVONIA DENTIST:
James Steward, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.