05 Jul How to Strengthen Your Teeth and Gums Naturally
Having strong, healthy teeth and gums is essential in maintaining an award-winning smile. But there are many factors that can affect your smile, and they don’t all have to do with oral hygiene. Diet, stress, and hydration can all play a significant role in your oral health. Luckily, there are many natural ways you can strengthen your teeth and gums at home in between your dental appointments.
Six Natural Ways to Strengthen Your Teeth and Gums
1: Reduce Your Stress Levels
If you’re feeling stressed out, you’re not alone—55% of Americans report feeling stressed during the day, according to the American Institute of Stress. And all that stress takes a toll on your overall health, including the health of your teeth and gums.
For example, stress can lead to teeth grinding or jaw clenching, which wears down your enamel and can make your teeth crack. Stress and anxiety can also reduce saliva flow, which allows the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth to grow.
2: Avoid Snacking
To protect your teeth, it’s best to avoid starchy and sugary snacks. Bacteria feed on sugar and starch, producing acids that weaken your tooth enamel. The more often you eat throughout the day, the higher your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
You should especially avoid snacking on chips, popcorn, candy, and other foods that get stuck in your teeth and linger all day. If you need a snack, make sure to choose healthy, low-carb foods like celery, strawberries, carrots, or hard-boiled eggs.
3: Eat a Healthy Diet
In fact, eating healthy foods can strengthen your teeth and gums all on its own. Look for foods and drinks that are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus to strengthen your teeth, and vitamins A, C, and D to protect your gums and boost your immune system.
Dairy products, leafy greens, fibrous fruits, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins can help strengthen your teeth and gums naturally. And be sure to limit acidic and overly sugary foods and drinks like coffee, candy, citrus fruits, and sodas, which can damage your tooth enamel.
4: Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy mouth. Staying hydrated ensures you produce enough saliva to sufficiently wash away food particles and carry essential nutrients to your teeth. It also washes away harmful bacteria. Drinking water after a meal or snack (and throughout the day) will keep your mouth clean and protect your teeth and gums.
5: Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that can help remove toxins, reduce plaque buildup, and strengthen your gums. It involves swishing an edible oil, like coconut oil, in your mouth for 10-20 minutes each day. The oil pulls bacteria and toxins away from your teeth and gums, and prevents bacteria from sticking to them. It’s important not to swallow—make sure to completely spit out all the oil, and rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward.
6: Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The most effective way to strengthen your teeth and gums is to simply practice good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily are crucial in minimizing plaque.
Letting plaque build up allows it to harden into tartar, which can only be removed at the dentist’s office. Over time, plaque and tartar buildup lead to cavities, infection, gum disease, and other dental health issues.
One way you can strengthen your oral hygiene routine is by gently scraping your tongue to remove bacteria. This practice helps prevent the unsightly white coating that can form on the tongue due to bacteria buildup.
Rinsing your mouth daily with an alcohol-free mouthwash or a natural alternative can also help eliminate harmful bacteria and strengthen your teeth and gums naturally.
Holistic Dentist in Prescott, Arizona
Another crucial way to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong is to keep up with regular dental appointments. Professional cleanings are the only way to remove tartar from your teeth, and they also allow your dentist to spot signs of serious dental problems early on.
If you’re due for a teeth cleaning and exam, please don’t hesitate to contact Prescott Dentistry. We’ll help you keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Give us a call at 928-445-1660 today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/5/2023). Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash