It’s fall!
People are starting to exchange swimsuits for sweaters and iced tea for hot chocolate. Here at Heroes Dental, we know that the change of season means a greater opportunity for sweets and treats. But, thankfully, our team has 7 spookily great tips on how you can prepare your teeth for fall before and after visiting your favorite San Juan dentists.
Don’t be scared to try these out.
How to Protect Your Teeth This Fall
1. Avoid sugary drinks like the infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte.
We have placed this tip as a top priority on our list because PSLs and other sugary drinks such as egg nog, wine, hot chocolate and cappuccinos can cause tremendous damage to your teeth. It is extremely important to drink these sugary beverages in moderation to avoid enamel breakdown and most importantly, tooth stains!
A great tip for fighting tooth stains after you have consumed a beverage that might stain your teeth is to quickly brush and floss your teeth right after. Brushing your teeth will cleanse your mouth while flossing will help reduce the amount of plaque that can build from the sugars in the drink.
2. Add new dental devices to your oral hygiene routine.
Experimentation with water picks, tongue scrapers, different flavors and/or types of dental floss, different whitening gadgets and so much more can really work to improve (and enhance) your smile. Buying new, refreshing gadgets for your loved ones is a fun way to get them back into taking care of their teeth, especially if these tools are convenient for everyday use.
3. Out with the old, in with the new.
One tip to help your smile reach its fullest potential is to throw out your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Your toothbrush becoming frayed and bristles beginning to fall out are sure signs that it is time to throw it out and grab a new one.
The reason to throw out your toothbrush is that after it frays and becomes worn out, it does not brush off the plaque and tartar nearly as well as it did when you first bought it. Another risk of reusing an outdated toothbrush is that if you had a cold or some sort of infectious illness, you may reinfect yourself once again by using that same toothbrush.
4. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Drinking adequate amounts of water is not only beneficial for your overall health, but research has shown that drinking water regularly helps you produce more saliva, which flushes out the bacteria that lingers in your mouth that can cause gum disease and other dental issues.
The minerals found in water will also help your teeth maintain their strength and also help you to avoid dry mouth – which is one of the root causes of many painful dental conditions.
5. Addressing weather-induced tooth sensitivity.
While you might think that tooth pain or discomfort is the norm for when temperatures change, the reality is that it could be a sign of a much more serious problem, such as a cracked or chipped tooth, gum injury, or enamel weakness.
Making sure to visit your dentist as soon as you feel discomfort during cold weather can help ease your pain and keep your mouth healthy.
6. Beware the spooky effects of Halloween candy.
October is generally filled with scarily sweet treats, and while it’s OK to enjoy a candy or two, everything should be enjoyed in moderation. This is especially true for our little ones.
Eating too much candy can absolutely wreak havoc on your teeth because bacteria quite literally thrive on sugar. These sugar-loving bacteria create concerns in your mouth because of the acid they produce that erodes the enamel which eventually leads to cavities.
If a cavity is left untreated, it can cause a lot of pain and eventually lead to the need for tooth extraction or a root canal. Needless to say, when you indulge in candy this Halloween, make sure to drink water with it to flush out the bacteria, keep a toothbrush and toothpaste handy, and get to flossing!
7. Schedule a fall dental exam before the hectic holiday season.
Scheduling regular dental exams allows for your dentist to frequently monitor the health of your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth, while also checking to see what improvements can be made in your day-to-day life. Your dentist will be able to see what foods or beverages might damage the enamel of your teeth and can help you set up a plan for better protecting your teeth.
And now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment before the craziness of the holiday season catches up to you.
Going to the dentist can be fun and rewarding, especially during a season full of sugar, spice and everything nice. So if you are eager to get your dental health ready for fall, contact your favorite and friendly family dentists at Heroes Dental today.