Building Confidence With Dental Beauty

Sometimes, when you are on the go, there seems to be no convenient way to clean your teeth. Still, tooth and gum health is important. Neglecting your teeth can have dire consequences, such as increasing the likelihood of periodontal disease and tooth loss. There are measures you can take to help ensure your teeth remain healthy, even when your bathroom sink and toothbrush are far away. Here are a few:

Munch on a celery stick.

Some natural fruits and vegetables, such as celery, apples and carrots, have a rough, fibrous texture that helps clear plaque and debris from your teeth. In addition, they contain small amounts of natural sugar, so they are less likely to promote tooth decay than foods sweetened with table sugar. Instead of opting for a dessert after your meal, choose a raw fruit or vegetable to promote better tooth health. 

Chew some cinnamon-flavored sugarless gum.

Cinnamic aldehyde is the principle flavor compound found in cinnamon. This naturally occurring chemical is also anti-bacterial. One study examined the use of cinnamon-flavored gum to lower bacterial counts in the mouth. The research was conducted by having participants with unbrushed teeth provide a saliva sample before and after chewing gum for 20 minutes. Those who chewed cinnamon-flavored gum experienced a 50 percent reduction in their oral bacteria counts. 

Drink a few cups of tea with your meal.

Drink tea instead of soda with your meals. Soda is highly acidic and encourages the demineralization of your tooth enamel. However, tea can decrease the amount of tooth-decaying acid in your mouth by eliminating some of the acid-producing bacteria that reside there.

Researchers have found that drinking three or four cups of black tea daily can help lessen your chance of tooth decay. The tea reduces the number of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus bacteria in your mouth. These two common types of oral bacteria are linked to tooth decay and gum disease. Drinking green tea seems to have a similar anti-bacterial effect.

There are ways to protect your dental health that don't involve your tooth brush. When you cannot brush or floss, you can still make healthy choices that are good for your teeth and gums. However, be sure to continue to brush and floss your teeth when you can, and visit your dentist regularly. If you have not scheduled a routine examination within the past six months, contact a dentist, like Robert J Bauder DMD, today for an appointment.