A healthy smile is one of the most important social assets at your disposal heading into a new school year. might be worried about how it will turn out. Since the back-to-school season is a time for new beginnings, why not start off the new school year with a renewed focus on dental hygiene? Read on to find some great tips for passing the exam and getting a fresh, white smile in the process.
Eat Right
Over the summer, you might have gotten used to snacky foods and sugary beverages, but all that starch, sugar, and processed fat can be harsh on your enamel. This school year, start packing lunches with fresh fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and minimally processed meats. This way, you’ll get the minerals and vitamins you need to keep your teeth in fighting shape. After meals, consider chewing sugar-free gum. This will stimulate saliva flow, helping your mouth clean out bacteria and leftover food particles.
Stay Hydrated
While you’re at it, be sure to drink plenty of water. Dehydration leads to dry mouth, and without saliva to clean and lubricate it, your teeth are exposed to damage and bacteria multiply rapidly. Drinking water by itself also helps flush all that bacteria and food residue away. Brushing after meals is a great idea, but you should take care to wait thirty minutes after eating.
Build a Strong Routine
As much as you miss summer, the school year provides your time with the kind of structure you need to get into a good dental groove. Here are some great ways to stay ahead of the cavity monster:
Get used to that clean mouth feeling
Good habits are as hard to break as bad ones. By starting strong with brushing twice and flossing once daily (at least) around your busy school schedule, you can lock the habit into place by associating it with its time and place in the day.
Set reminders
Calendar apps are common on phones, computers, or smart assistants. Set reminders for dental appointments or even just routine care tasks like brushing and flossing.
Think ahead
See about setting dental appointments early, before everyone else is trying to get the same spot. This will save you stress later.
Great oral hygiene is great for both physical health and self-confidence, and you’ll need both to make it through the school year. By keeping your eyes on the prize both hygienically and academically, you maximize your chances of blowing your exams away at school and at the dentist.
About the Practice
Chardon Smile Center dutifully serves the community of Chardon, OH. Led by Drs. Christopher R. Phillips and Brian J. Titus, the staff provides comprehensive dental care with compassion and dedication to their patients. Services include preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry, TMJ and periodontal therapy, and dental implants. To learn more about keeping your teeth healthy during the school year, contact the office online or dial (440) 286-2474.