At some point you’ve probably asked yourself these types of questions: What’s the best dental insurance? How do I get my kid to go to the dentist without a big fuss? How big of an impact does my diet have on my teeth? Take a look at some of our tooth tips and wonder no more!
- The best dental insurance is preventive home care. Teeth do take on some inevitable trauma and wear, but most dental problems are preventable. So dust off that toothbrush, find some floss, and swish that mouthwash!
- Expose your teeth to fluoride. Figure out how much fluoride your drinking water contains by calling your city offices or having an inexpensive test done on your well. Then consult with your dentist on getting an additional fluoride supplement.
- Watch your carbs. It’s not just a tip for dieting—avoid snacking on carbohydrates for healthy teeth as well. Every time you eat carbs, your saliva turns acidic for a half hour, creating a chemical imbalance causing minerals to be sucked out of your teeth. If you limit carbs exclusively to meal times, your mouth will only be acidic for roughly two hours in a twenty-four hour period—a very healthy amount for your teeth.
- Snack smart. So what’s okay to eat between meals? Cheeses (though not sweetened ones), nuts, and vegetables are all great in-between-meal snacks. As for drinks, water is the only one that won’t make your mouth acidic. This is especially applicable to toddlers. Toddlers’ falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouths is a recipe for tooth decay.
- Make going to the dentist a positive experience. Make going to the dentist a matter-of-fact part of life. Don’t share negative dental experiences with your children—it will only cause them anxiety. Schedule regular checkups for your children and keep those appointments. Don’t let a painful toothache be the first experience your child has with a dentist.
- Choose a dentist who is good with kids. As you’re scheduling appointments for your children, remember that dentists are not all equal. Get referrals from neighbors, coworkers, and friends for a child-friendly dentist. This doesn’t necessarily mean a pediatric dentist, but one who has experience working with families.
- Remember regular checkups aren’t just for kids. Parents typically take their children to regular dental appointments. Then as children grow up, go to college, and get married, money gets tight, diets deteriorate, and regular checkups don’t happen. College students love snacking, and usually it’s not on carrots. This combination of factors often leads to a really bad dental problem. Don’t let this be you. When it comes to your dental health, stay up, don’t catch up.
Photo Credit: “Kids” by Torrey Wiley, Link to license
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