Elmhurst Dentist Helps You Keep Your Smile Fresh Throughout The Day

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Aug 29, 2014

Elmhurst Dentist Helps You Keep Your Smile Fresh Throughout The Day

Most people are taking the time to clean their smiles at the beginning and end of the day. However, sometimes even the most diligent dental patients need an oral health boost in the middle of the day. With that in mind, our Elmhurst dentist office is helping you imagine all of the ways that you can freshen your smile as you go about your daily routine.

1. Water, water, water

The first thing to keep in mind is that water is your friend! When you drink enough water, you stimulate saliva production in your mouth. Saliva then neutralizes oral acids and bacteria that could harm your smile. Plus, rinsing your mouth with water after you eat or drink will help to minimize the amount of acid that attacks your enamel and gum tissue.

2. Consider how/when you eat

You may not know this, but oral bacteria are active for about thirty minutes after you last east or drink (something other than water). This means that for thirty minutes after the last time you consumed something, oral bacteria are feeding, growing, and producing acid. Consequently, it can actually be healthier for your smile if you eat/drink at once, rather than sipping or snacking over hours.

3. Additional oral hygiene steps

Talk to your dentist about whether it would be appropriate for you to add a third brushing/flossing/mouth rinsing session into your daily routine. For some patients this can make all the difference when it comes to keeping a strong and healthy smile.

The American Dental Association recommends that every patient brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. If you feel like your smile could use a little additional freshness throughout the day, our Elmhurst dentist office is here for you. Feel free to contact us to get more information.