The little things that you do to maintain your smile can really add up over time. Our Saint Louis dentists have a number of tips and suggestions to help you keep your smile as clean as possible during the day. Today we are talking about simple and effective habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine!
So, here’s the deal: bacterial plaque is going to build up on your smile throughout the day (and night, for that matter). There is simply no way to totally shut down plaque production. Our goal, then, is to clear plaque away from the smile as promptly as possible, and to minimize the amount of fuel that oral bacteria can use to grow and proliferate.
Because saliva is a natural bacteria fighter, and your body’s built in method of re-mineralizing teeth, we want to do everything possible to encourage saliva production. The number one thing that you can do in order to do this is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also rinse your mouth out with water after eating and drinking to minimize the amount of dental debris that sits on your enamel and gum tissues.
It is also beneficial to consider when, exactly, you are snacking and sipping on sugary substances. It is OK to consume these things in moderation, but it is better for your smile if you snack and sip over a short period of time, rather than throughout the day. This is because oral bacteria stay active for about 20-30 minutes after you last expose the bacteria to food/drink. If you snack and sip (anything other than water), all through the day, the bacteria in your mouth constantly have fuel to grow!
Our Saint Louis dentists are here to help you build an oral hygiene plan, and to develop habits, that will allow you to maintain a strong and healthy smile for years to come.