Brushing your teeth is an essential part of staying healthy. Especially because doctors are saying that the state of your oral health is a great predictor of the state of your overall health, it is more important than ever to keep up with your oral hygiene. People brush their teeth at different times of the day, for different reasons ranging from bad breath, having just ate, about to go meet with people and more. While those are all legitimate reasons for brushing teeth, the primary function is to get things off of the teeth that will break them down.
What is bad for the teeth?
Brushing your teeth is something everyone should be doing after meals and especially meals that contain sugar or flour. The bleach that is used in processed flour and sugar breaks down teeth and can cause cavities among other oral problems. Brushing immediately after consumption is best.
Are there alternatives?
While brushing is certainly the best for your teeth, there are alternatives for those who are too busy. One alternative option is to chew gum. The sticky gum will pick up foods between teeth and even the bits of sugar and flour that we can see that are stuck to teeth. Another great way to clean your mouth after eating is to use mouthwash. Mouthwash not only fights bacterias, but cleans up all the food remnants from your meal. Additionally, both mouthwash and gum minimizes any other bacteria clinging to your teeth, which can break down enamel and gums.
Max is a marketing assistant for Southern Dental is an office specializing in family dentistry located in Marrero, Louisiana.
Karen is a health blog author who has been writing about healthy living since 2013. She started her journey by adopting a vegan diet and eating only organic foods, but the more she learned, the more she realized that we should all be eating plant-based diets exclusively. As an expert in nutrition and wellness, Karen blogs to educate readers on how they can live happier and healthier lives through food choices!
