Good hygiene is one of the earliest skills we learn, besides eating. It’s also one of most-consistently important routines we engage in. Yet, the tenets of continuing good hygiene aren’t always fully understood, and you might not realize that what you do throughout the rest of the day could negate the care you give your teeth and gums at the sink. With a little extra care in your daily routines, however, you can help make your good hygiene practices more effective, with longer-lasting benefits.
When You’re Not at the Bathroom Sink
Keep Water Close
When it comes to your oral hygiene, water is good for more than just rinsing away toothpaste after you’ve brushed your teeth. Water, which is what makes up over 99% of your saliva, helps naturally rinse away the bacteria that could lead to dental health issues when they’re allowed to congregate. Keep a glass or bottle of water close, especially when you’re eating and snacking, to periodically rinse your mouth and stay properly hydrated.
Practice Snacking Restraint
Speaking of snacking, try not to too often throughout the day. Every time you do, the sugars, carbohydrates, and other nutrients in your food can fuel the biological processes of oral bacteria. For instance, certain microbes convert carbs into acids that destroy your teeth; others metabolize proteins into foul-smelling gases that taint your breath; and still others produce toxins that attack your periodontal tissues.
Pay Attention to What Your Teeth Do
Except for when you’re brushing and flossing them, or unless one of them hurts, you might not think about your teeth much. While you’re not paying attention, you might clench and grind them without realizing it (bruxism), which can lead to extensive tooth wear, damage (such as cracks and fractures), loose teeth, and a host of other dental issues.
ABOUT YOUR SAN DIEGO PERIODONTIST:
To learn how to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life, subscribe to this blog, and visit Dr. Kania for a consultation. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile, as well as place dental implants to restore teeth lost to dental disease or trauma. To seek Dr. Kania’s expertise, visit our office or contact us today at (760) 642-0711.