Having a healthy, beautiful smile is not just a matter of the luck of the genetic draw. Even someone with the best genetic advantages will have a less than perfect smile without careful attention to the basics of good oral hygiene, regular preventive care and a healthy diet. Here's how to put your best smile forward, courtesy of Tarzana dentist Afsoon Gerayli, DDS, of Victory Cosmetic Dentistry.
The Basics – Diet
Healthy teeth start with the basics. The odds are high that if you eat lots of junk food, neither your body nor your teeth will be healthy. Important nutrients for teeth include minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, as well as vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. In addition you need vitamin K to help promote bone strength. Vitamin C is key for healthy gums and soft tissues, and can protect you from gum inflammation (gingivitis). Vitamin A is another important helper for mucous membranes and promotes healing. Interestingly, nearly all of these important nutrients are found in leafy greens - although dairy products are also good sources of calcium - while meats provide other minerals and citrus fruits and bell peppers are high in vitamin C. Avoid sugar in all forms – it does nothing for you health-wise but has a lot of negative effects like obesity and tooth decay, as well as harming the immune system. Refined grains don't offer much in the way of nutrition and can cause blood sugar spikes.
The Basics – Other Lifestyle Issues
One of the most important things you can for your health is to avoid tobacco in any form. Nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco, harms blood vessels and damages tissue throughout the body. It increases your chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, lung cancer and oral health problems like gum disease and oral cancer. Nicotine also stains your teeth (not to mention causing bad breath) as do coffee, tea and red wine. Your pearly whites will stay whiter if you avoid these beverages or at least brush within 30 minutes after drinking them. Soft drinks contain acids that can damage the enamel and sugar-laden soft drinks are a double whammy. Exercise promotes circulation and tissue health, so in addition to moving for your heart's sake, move for your teeth and gums.
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention
There is no question that preventing problems is always better than trying to solve them later. Good oral hygiene will do more to keep your teeth healthy than any other strategy except avoiding sugar. Brush twice a day and floss daily. Using mouthwash isn't as important as brushing and flossing, but it won't hurt and may help decrease bacteria in the mouth. You should see your dentist twice a year (more frequently if recommended based on your individual situation) and also have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Most people need X-rays annually to ensure there are no cavities hiding where they can't be seen. If you have very crowded or crooked teeth, you might want to consider orthodontia.
Orthodontia
Crooked teeth certainly detract from your smile, as do severely crowded or widely spaced teeth, overbites and underbites. Even more important, these dental problems can contribute to all kinds of problems that affect your oral health. For example, crowded teeth make it much harder to get your teeth clean and can increase the risk of dental decay. Uneven teeth, overbites and underbites can lead to uneven wear and increase the risk of chipping or breaking a tooth. Uneven wear may also cause bite problems, headaches and jaw pain. Both adults and children can benefit from braces or from other orthodontic treatments like headgear and retainers. Newer forms of braces are much less visible than the traditional metal wires and brackets.
At Victory Cosmetic Dentistry, we can help you achieve and keep that healthy, attractive smile. Dr. Gerayli is a highly trusted Resada dentist who is skilled in general and cosmetic dentistry. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.