The start of the new year is a great point to drop the bad habits and improve your lifestyle, so our dentists got together to give you tips on how to keep your mouth healthy in 2012!
Minimize soda pop drinking
No surprise there, right? High consumption of soda or other acidic beverages can lead to enamel loss, which you can’t replace.
Use an electric toothbrush
Remember when electric toothbrushes were expensive? Not anymore. There are several options of electric toothbrushes that are affordable and work great. Using an electric toothbrush causes less damage to your gums, requires you to use less force when brushing, and some even come with a timer so you meet the recommended brushing time.
Avoid chewing ice
Some people make a habit of chewing on ice, but biting on hard substances, such as ice cubes, may cause fractures to the teeth or damage fillings.
Mouth guards for active people
If you’re into active sports such as hockey, then cover those pearly whites. Mouth guards not only protect your teeth, but also other important parts of the mouth: cheeks, gums, and lips. At Valley Dental Group, we specialize in providing our active patients Under Armour Performance Mouthwear.
Protect yourself at night with a Bruxism guard
These are recommended for patients who grind or clench their teeth at night due to stress.
Refrain from using your teeth as tools
Who’s guilty of using their teeth to open a water bottle? No worries, in some way we’re all guilty of thinking our teeth are invincible; however, don’t forget your teeth are important and get a lot action as it is, so avoid using them as a tool. Grab someone with a stronger hand or an actual tool.
We hope these tips were helpful and will be useful in making sure your mouth is healthy in 2012! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
