Most people hate going to the dentist. Whether it's the smell of burning enamel, or the pale faces that walk out after an hour in the chair it can be a very unpleasant experience. Still, we do know that an apple a day doesn't completely keep the dentist away, so we begrudgingly trudge to the office in the hopes of not having a totally unpleasant experience.
Why do we do this, you ask? The alternatives are much, much worse. The medical community has shown a clear correlation between bad teeth and heart disease. If for no other reason, it's worth going in for a check up. However, it is possible make these check ups just a little easier to bear, just by following a few simple rules:
* It is important to brush your teeth multiple times per day. Even if you brush your teeth at night, it is still extremely important to brush your teeth in the morning. It's also a good idea to brush your teeth after lunch. You can either keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in your drawer at work, or many companies are making pocket/wallet-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste which you can carry around easily as well.
* Someone at the dentist's office is almost always willing to spend a few moments talking to you about your oral health. Don't be afraid to call about any extra food-stuff that you may have floating around in your mouth. Your health is important and they will understand.
* Many drinks and other substances can stain our teeth, such as coffee, tea, cigarettes, wine or brown soda. After consuming one of these beverages or substances, make an effort to swill some water around your mouth, or chew some gum. The best of all possibilities would be to brush your teeth. If you can do that, you stand a much better chance of reducing the stain on your teeth.
* Further, in an effort to keep the enamel on your teeth from cracking, avoid drinking hot and cold liquids at the same time (i.e. do not drink coffee and ice water simultaneously). The rapid, repetitive expansion and contraction can cause great damage to your teeth. Drinking ice-cold mineral water (these drinks often have helpful vitamins and minerals) can help make your teeth stronger as well.
* Wear a mouth guard if you play sports, especially football, hockey or lacrosse. While there are some excellent commercial guards available, if you are avid about playing you should seriously consider having your dentist custom-design one for you. Even for the novice sportsman, it is a best practice to wear a mouth guard while engaging in a mildly dangerous activity. This can include riding an ATV, water ski, playing soccer or even baseball. Being pro-active about prevention can reduce the number of injuries later on.
* Floss...daily. No matter how ardently you brush your teeth, it is possible that you will miss places near the gum line or in between the teeth. By removing the food particles, you rob the ever present bacteria in your mouth of substances that can lead to tooth decay. Finally, evacuating the food in between teeth and gums keeps a variety of germs that lead to infection from spreading too rapidly.
By incorporating some of these tips into your daily routine, you can keep your teeth healthy, and make your visit to your dentist a more positive experience.