For many of us, the year began with a fierce commitment to better our overall health. And we may have started out strong, getting a gym membership, changing our diet, starting out each day with a few yoga stretches or maybe even using health supplements like these kratom capsules to help us become the best version of ourselves that we can be.
But let’s face it. Some habits are easy to start, and some… well, not so easy. If you’re like most people, this new commitment to better health probably took its rightful seat at the bottom of your priority list by February.
The good news is that it’s summertime! We’re halfway through the calendar year, and this can be as good a time as any to rededicate yourself to better health. And that includes your oral health!
Our team at Rod Gleave, DMD in Salt Lake City wants to help you do that. Today’s blog is all about things we do (and don’t do!) that can make the difference between a healthy, beautiful smile, and one that makes us want to run and hide!
So here are just a few of the habits that we think can make or break your smile! We hope it will help you decide how to best improve the health of your teeth and gums this summer.
Habits That Break Your Smile
Chewing On Ice
It’s summer, so it makes sense that we’re looking for ways to beat the heat. But chewing on ice is not a good habit for your teeth. It might be refreshing, but this can literally break your smile.
First, there is the risk that you could bite down the wrong way and actually chip or break a tooth. This is definitely not worth the risk! Second, chewing on ice over time can really wear on your teeth and eventually affect their shape and change your bite alignment.
It’s best to find other ways to stay cool this summer!
Tobacco Use
We probably don’t need to spend too much time on this one! We all know that not only is smoking or using tobacco generally bad for your health, it’s a habit that can wreck your smile, too.
For one thing, tobacco use can put you at a high risk for oral cancer. It also can take your teeth from bright white to a dingy brownish yellow. No doubt about it, tobacco is a bad habit in every respect!
Snacking On Sweets
Refined sugars and highly processed foods are not good for your teeth and gums. Snacking on “junk” food not only has a negative impact on your waistline, but it can make it really tough to keep plaque and tartar buildup at bay.
Harmful bacteria in your mouth love to feed off of sugar from your food and drinks. This process creates acids that erode your enamel and set off a domino effect of bad goings on inside the nooks and crannies of your mouth. So why give the bacteria the fuel it needs to cause trouble?
Habits That Make Your Smile
Drinking Lots Of Water
Staying hydrated plays an important role in your health. It also keeps your teeth and gums strong because it keeps your mouth full of saliva that shields your teeth from harmful bacteria. This is the best way to beat the summer heat and to keep your smile healthy!
Crunching On Fruits & Veggies
If you miss the crunch you get from chewing ice, consider a healthier alternative. Snacking on crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery are a great, natural way to keep your mouth clean, to minimize refined sugars, encourage saliva, give your teeth the nutrients they need to stay strong, and to maintain better health overall.
Brushing And Flossing Daily
Surely, this healthy smile habit is no secret! We follow the American Dental Association’s recommendation for brushing and flossing. You should brush twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss once a day. This is one of the best habits you can incorporate into your daily routine for a beautiful, healthy smile!
Make An Appointment!
If some habits have already broken your smile, it’s never too late to visit Dr. Gleave and our team here in Salt Lake City to help you get back on track! Call us at (801) 590–7947 or fill out our online form to request an appointment today!
