Taking care of your oral health is an essential part of everyday life. If you are like most people living in this modern world, you have likely been taught the importance of brushing your teeth every day. While this is a good rule to live by, it’s often the case that people don’t do much else to care for their dental health.

6 Lifestyle Choices that Improve Dental Health

While we certainly want to see you at our downtown LA dental office for regular checkups and cleanings, we don’t want you to suffer from poor dental health that results in cavities or tooth loss. That’s why we are using today’s article to list the top 6 lifestyle choices that improve dental health.

Eat More Vitamins and Minerals

The things you put in your body can greatly determine your overall health. Food is the most powerful drug, and your gut has a great effect on the calcium and bone in your teeth. In particular, vitamins C, A, D, and K all promote a healthy mouth while strengthening your immune system overall. These vitamins can come from leafy green vegetables, salmon, nuts, and some dairy products.

Drink More Water

You may have heard about the importance of drinking at least 8 cups of water per day. Not only is water necessary for keeping you hydrated and healthy, but it also promotes a healthy mouth by allowing you to wash away bacteria that would otherwise get stuck on the teeth. Water also contains fluoride, which is a helpful ingredient for strengthening your enamel against harmful bacteria and decay.

Visit Your Dentist Often

Even if you are struggling to maintain good dental health habits on your own, you can still invest in oral healthcare by taking regular trips to your dentist’s office. We typically suggest that patients visit us once every 6 months, getting a deep cleaning twice a year while being screened for possible oral health issues. This is also a great time to get treatment for cavities before signs of decay transform into a full-on infection.

Balance Out Your Diet

Back to the topic of food, it is important that you are balancing your diet by eating more healthy foods and cutting down on unhealthy options. Items high in processed sugar contain harmful bacteria that can infect your teeth and gums, leading to serious dental health issues as time goes on. Certain sticky foods can make it difficult to remove these bits of bacteria from the teeth as they quickly stick to the enamel. If you are craving something sweet, try a piece of fruit or a sugar-free snack instead.

Stop Drinking Soda, Too

In addition to sugary foods, sugary drinks should also be reduced in your daily life. Soda pop, fruit juice, sports drinks, and wines can all contain way more than the recommended amount of daily sugar intake. Not to mention, sugar in liquid is easily delivered straight to your teeth, where it will stay and build up until you brush it off. Save these kinds of drinks for special occasions.

Quit Smoking and Drinking

Cutting tobacco or alcohol out of your life is probably much easier said than done. You don’t need to be preached about when it comes to the negative effects of these drugs, but a reminder to cut back on these harmful substances can help you shift focus back to your dental health. Smoking increases the likelihood that you will develop gum disease, cancer, and other oral health issues. Alcohol makes it more difficult for your body to heal, allowing infection to spread more rapidly.

Improve Your Lifestyle with Our Family Dental Services Today

Whether you want to prevent falling into a cycle of poor health or you are trying to come back after years of neglecting your teeth, you can find the perfect treatment with us at Samaritan Dental Arts. Get top-notch testing and treatment for cavities while we work with you to establish a lifelong plan of care. Turn your life around and feel better about your oral healthcare options when you contact us today!