How to Improve the Health and Strength of Your Teeth

As you start to grow older and become more mature, you start to take the health of your teeth more into consideration. When you’re younger, you’ll eat anything you want and tell yourself you can get away with not brushing your teeth, but as you grow up, you realize that brushing your teeth isn’t just an inconvenient obligation – it is critical and can sometimes be slightly enjoyable. When you were young, you might have cared less about flossing, but now it feels so good to get into the crags of your teeth to remove those pepper kernels from dinner. However, there is a lot more you can do to improve the health and strength of your teeth.

Fluoride – a chemical compound that promotes the formation of tooth enamel. In other words fluoride can provide a protective barrier for your teeth. In fact, it has reduced tooth decay by up to 60% in the 50 years. Fluoride has been added to many cities’ sources of tap water, but this form of fluoride consumption has questionable affects on one’s health. An alternative, however, is to always purchase toothpaste that is made with fluoride – your dentist will thank you for it.

Next, not all candy is bad for your teeth – nor are some other foods. In fact, licorice – pure licorice and not that stuff you purchase at the movie theater – can help kill some of the germs that contribute to tooth decay. Also, some chewing gum can do the same thing – the higher the xylitol, the less bacteria will build up in your mouth, because you are effectively poisoning it. Research also suggests that green tea can significantly reduce cavities, because of the fluoride content and polyphenols, which can prevent gum disease as well.

Also, by taking some supplements, you can strengthen the teeth from the inside out. Our teeth are sort of like exposed bones and they are made of some of the same ingredients, like calcium, phosphorus, sodium and collagen. So some of the same vitamins that support healthy bone growth will also support the strengthening of the teeth as well. For instance, vitamin D can help your body absorb calcium, which can keep the enamel of the teeth strong and protective from cavities. Also, vitamin A, which is the source of the yellow to orange color found in many fruits and vegetables, can strengthen your teeth and will also keep the root of the teeth healthier too. There are some parts of your teeth that you can’t see, but are just as important to keep healthy.

Lastly, to truly improve the strength and health of your teeth, it is important to visit the dentist every six months. Not only is a twice annual cleaning important to prevent tartar buildup, but you also want to check for cavities before they become a serious issue. Thanks to the advancement in sedation dentistry, many people who were too afraid to visit the dentist can now visit the dentist in peace, because you don’t have to hear all the drilling and experience all the pain. Whatever you do – maintaining the health of your teeth is an important component in maintaining the health of the rest of your body too.