The holidays are right around the corner and the last thing that you’ll want to have to worry about is a toothache. Here are some helpful tips on how to survive your Mesa, Arizona holiday season with healthy teeth so that you’ll be able to smile big in all your family photos.
Make Sure You’re Using Fluoride
Fluoride reduces tooth sensitivity and helps prevent cavities by strengthening your enamel. Using a fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse should be a part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Most kinds of toothpaste these days have fluoride already added, however, not many mouth rinses do not, so check your labels and take time on the dental aisle to select the right fluoride-containing products.
In addition to incorporating fluoride regularly, you can receive a prescription-strength fluoride treatment bi-annually at your dental cleaning appointments. This is typically available as a rinse, foam, or varnish that sticks to your teeth and is absorbed throughout the day.
We also have maximum strength fluoride formulas that we can prescribe to use at home. These items are not available over the counter and are the best at protecting the weak enamel of patients who are very prone to getting cavities or hypersensitivity.
Enjoy Sweets…in Moderation, and With a Meal
Our Mesa dentist understands that it’s unreasonable to ask you to completely avoid sweets. So, instead of striking it out completely, you can get smarter about it. Enjoy sweets in moderation, and during or immediately after a meal. Every time you consume sugar, the pH level in your mouth becomes more acidic, which contributes to tooth decay. By not snacking constantly on bad foods you reduce the amount of exposure your teeth are getting, meaning that you’re cutting down on your chances of developing cavities. Keep in mind that even artificial sweeteners and certain foods that are naturally sweet can affect the pH in your mouth.
Brush Throughout The Day
About 30 minutes after you’ve had your meal and consumed your sugary dessert (by then the acids have all neutralized) it’s a great time to grab that fluoride and brush your teeth. Not only will brushing after meals reduce your chances of getting cavities, but it’ll also keep your breath fresh.
Rinse with Water Regularly
Drinking water regularly or rinsing your mouth out with water periodically throughout the day will help keep plaque flushed away. It will also stabilize the pH level in your mouth to where it needs to be to stay healthy. Especially if you can’t brush your teeth after meals, the least you can do is rinse. Many drinks that you wouldn’t even think have a high level of sugar and are still very acidic, so don’t rinse your mouth with anything other than water.
Go For The Xylitol
Did you know that you could fight cavities and satisfy your sweet tooth simply by chewing gum? Yes, it’s true.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar-free sweetener found in certain fruits and veggies. This substance is widely used as a sugar substitute and is added to “sugar-free” chewing gum and candies.
Not only does xylitol taste sweet, but it also helps to prevent cavities by inhibiting the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. Over time, less plaque forms on your teeth and the level of acids go down.
Sweet Sensitivity? It Could be a Cavity
Contrary to what some people might think, having tooth sensitivity when you eat something sweet isn’t normal. In fact, this is a sign that you may have a cavity. Cold sensitivity on a tooth can also be a sign of decay. If you notice either one of these symptoms, you should see our dentist in Mesa for an exam. When cavities form, they frequently start between your teeth where we can’t see them. An x-ray is often needed to detect decay. So, even if you don’t see anything that looks like a cavity when you look in your mouth, you should still get checked out by a dentist 一 especially if you’re experiencing sensitivity.
Visit Our Mesa, AZ Dentist
When life and the holidays have you busy, give yourself the peace of mind that your teeth are healthy. No want wants to be surprised by a nagging toothache at the worst possible time of the year. Reduce your chances of a dental emergency during the holidays about come see our Mesa, Arizona dentist for your next checkup.
Give us a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vinh Huynh, DMD of Eastport Dental today!
