3 Ways To Protect The Health Of Your Teeth And Gums Away From Home

If you are often away from your home, you may be concerned about your dental health. It is easy to brush and floss when you have access to your own restroom. However, when you are away from your house, you may be concerned about the number of germs that are present in public spaces. Still, there is no reason for your dental health to suffer. There are multiple things that you can do when you are away from home that can help preserve the health of your teeth and gums. Here are a few of them: 

Chew gum that is sweetened with xylitol.

When you chew gum that is sweetened with xylitol, you help kill the oral bacteria that can help form plaque and dental decay. The bacteria in your mouth feed on leftover carbohydrates that are present in the oral cavity. As they feed, acid is released. The acid wears away the tooth enamel and causes cavities to form. Also, as oral bacteria mix with particles of food, sticky dental plaque is produced.

In addition to eliminating bacteria in the mouth, gum also helps pull plaque and debris from the surface of the teeth. Therefore, when gum is chewed soon after a meal, it can help take the place of brushing your teeth until you have actual access to your toothbrush and toothpaste.

The act of chewing also incites the production of saliva, which rinses the mouth and dilutes oral acid.

Sip water.

By sipping water, you can help protect your teeth and gums. Water rinses away debris from the mouth just as saliva does. In addition, it helps keep your body hydrated so that dry mouth does not occur.

It is best to ensure that the water that you use is fluoridated. Water that contains fluoride can help harden your teeth to protect them from decay.

When fluoride is introduced into the mouth, it coats the enamel of your teeth. As fluoride remains on the teeth, it attracts minerals, such as phosphorus and calcium. When the minerals and the fluoride combine, a new tooth material is formed. The new material is actually more decay-resistant than the original tooth enamel. 

Drink tea.

If you don't want to drink water with every meal, try tea. Tea contains special polyphenols that are antibacterial. Thus, as you enjoy a glass of iced tea or a steaming cup of the brown liquid, you are eliminating oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.

To learn more things that you can do to protect your teeth when you are away from home, schedule a consultation with a local dentist (such as one from Smile City).

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