You know how important it is to keep your teeth clean – from brushing twice a day and flossing daily to visiting your dentist in Cary twice a year for a comprehensive checkup and cleaning. Now that we are starting to get back a bit more to our normal routines after being shut down due to COVID-19, we’re going to be back to being on-the-go. So, to help you keep your teeth clean and minimize the risk of cavities, we’re sharing some tips for keeping your teeth clean when you’re away from home, whether you’re out all day running errands or you’re traveling.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is so important to good health overall, and it’s even beneficial to your dental health. By drinking water throughout the day, you’re rinsing your mouth of excess food particles along with any sugars and acids from coffee, juice, or soft drinks, so you’re minimizing the opportunity for plaque to form.
Also, drinking water helps boost saliva production which also keeps your teeth rinsed. Even more important, it contains antimicrobial agents to help get rid of the bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums and causes cavity and decay.
Keep Sugar-Free Gum On Hand
Chewing sugar-free gum is good for your teeth because it activates your saliva production, which rinses your teeth and naturally cleanses your mouth. It’s a good alternative when water is unavailable.
One thing to factor in with sugar free gum is that it’s not a continued substitute for brushing or rinsing with water, though it’s good in a pinch. Also, if there is citric acid in your gum, the pH may be low enough to cause enamel demineralization, meaning the acidity may be too high and could damage your teeth.
Brushing Your Teeth After Meals
If you work outside the home, consider keeping a travel toothbrush in your desk at work to combat any plaque or sugar that comes from lunch, snacking through the day, or any coffee or soft drinks you may consume. This way you can easily brush your teeth even when you’re away from your home so you can reduce the risk of cavities.
One thing to consider about keeping a toothbrush in your desk is that if you store it in a travel case, it can grow bacteria if not properly cared for. Remedy this by either bringing it home to run through the dishwasher or clean the case with dish detergent to remove any gunk.
Choose Snacks to Support Dental Health
You know sugary snacks cause major damage to your teeth over time. Bacteria feeds on it and over time, it causes cavities to form, so it’s important to minimize the amount of sugar in your diet.
So, what should you eat, instead?
Some of the best options for snacking for dental health include apples, carrots, and celery. These contain a lot of water (good for “rinsing”) and the fibrous nature of these fruits and vegetables offer a scrubbing action to clean your teeth.
Cheese cubes or string cheese, nuts, and sunflower seeds are also good foods for dental health because they contain calcium and other vitamins and minerals to support strong, healthy teeth.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Dentist in Cary.
In addition to keeping your teeth healthy whether you’re at home or on the go, it’s important to set aside time twice a year for your bi-annual checkup. To schedule yours, give our dentist office in Cary a call at (919) 467-2203 or reach out to our Holly Springs dentist office at (919) 600-6262 and you can also use a contact form to request an appointment.