As summer break ends, the back-to-school season begins. During this time, you’ll likely be busy gathering the necessary books and supplies to get you through your classes throughout the year. However, you’ll also want to keep up with your oral health amid the bustle, which can become challenging if you feel your schedule is constantly full. Read on to learn several tips to help you maintain your smile and ace your next dental exam!
#1: Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
You can never go wrong by keeping up with a solid dental hygiene routine. This should include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once daily, and rinsing with mouthwash often. Not only will this help freshen your breath for your day, but it’s also a crucial part of reducing your risks of cavities, decay, and infections.
#2: Stick with a Healthy Diet
Other than cleaning your teeth every day, you should also consider maintaining a well-balanced diet to promote a healthier smile. Consuming mostly sugary, starchy, or acidic food can be harmful to your teeth by making your enamel more susceptible to bacteria and decay. To avoid this, try sticking with meals packed with nutrients, such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products.
#3: Avoid Bad Oral Habits
Do you often bite your fingernails or chew on pencils when nervous? Although these kinds of habits might seem innocent at first, they can be detrimental to your smile over time. You can both introduce germs into your mouth as well as increase your risks of damaging your teeth. Instead, be sure to find alternative ways to relieve anxiety, like squeezing a stress ball!
#4: Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Do you typically feel like you don’t have enough time to brush or floss your teeth due to a packed schedule? A temporary way to clean your smile is by chewing sugar-free gum. This can stimulate saliva production to wash away the natural bacteria in your mouth as well as collect any leftover debris/food particles around your teeth and gums.
#5: Protect Your Teeth
If you typically play sports, then you might invest in athletic mouthguards to protect your pearly whites. This can help you avoid accidentally chipping or knocking out your teeth, which can require costly treatments. You should also consider nightguards for bruxism if you tend to grind your teeth at night, as they can keep you from wearing down your enamel.
Although the back-to-school season may sometimes feel hectic, there are easy and simple ways to keep up with your oral health. Follow these few tips, and you can be sure to pass your next dental exam with no problems!
About the Author
Dr. Carin J. Solomon is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. She earned her dental doctorate from the University of Michigan and has been delivering outstanding care for well over three decades. She offers a wide collection of high-quality and comprehensive treatments, including dental checkups/cleanings, athletic mouthguards, and gum disease therapy. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call 281-367-4007.