3 Tips To Protect Your Teeth From Food

11 November 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Everyone knows just how important it is to go to the dentist on a regular basis to get checkups. A family dentist is a great place for the whole family to go and get cleanings, checkups, and other procedures done. When you arrive at the dentist, you will want to make sure that you have taken proper care of your teeth beforehand so that all the dentist has to do is take a look and make sure everything is ok. One of the main reasons that your teeth might not be well taken care of is how you treat them when it comes to eating. Below are some tips on how to take care of your teeth while eating so that you can maintain a healthy smile.

  1. Rinsing after Eating. Did you know that when you eat, the enamel in your mouth is weakened? When this happens the food particles and acids that are in many foods will begin to attack the teeth. They will form plaque and will eventually cause cavities. A simple rinse with some clean water after you eat a meal will clear many of these food particles and acids away from your gums and teeth and will allow your enamel to harden without the teeth being damaged.
  2. Brushing after Eating. Are you one of those people that brushes your teeth right after eating? You may want to stop doing that because it does more harm than good. The enamel is weakened after eating a meal, so your teeth can be damaged even more if you brush directly after eating. You should wait at least 30 minutes before you brush your teeth so that the enamel has a chance to harden once again.
  3. Do Not Eat Right Before Bed. You may be one of those people that will eat all the way up until your head hits the pillow. This is not a good idea. When you are awake, your mouth produces saliva which can help balance the PH levels in your mouth and protect your teeth. When you are sleeping, less saliva is produced and the PH levels cannot be balanced correctly, which means any leftover particles of acid will attack your mouth more destructively. By not eating right before bed, you will ensure that those food particles and acids are not able to do as much damage.

Although almost everyone loves food, you will want to make sure to take the above tips into account. These will help you have a more enjoyable visit the next time you go to the dentist. Contact a local dentist, like Havendale Dental Office PA, for more information.