Many people look back on their college years as some of the best years of their lives. During all the joy and chaos of college, here are some tips for keeping your teeth healthy.
It’s important to keep healthy habits, like brushing your teeth. If you don’t take care of your teeth while you’re in college, it can hurt your health and even your funds in the long run.
By taking care of your teeth and learning good oral hygiene skills when you’re young, you can avoid health problems and save money on expensive dental work later on.
Set up a consistent routine for oral hygiene
You can take care of the health of your teeth and gums by brushing them twice a day and flossing every day.
Make sure to use toothpaste with fluoride to help strengthen the enamel and speed up the process of remineralizing teeth that are starting to get gaps. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and what is called the “modified bass technique” to remove plaque and keep your enamel from wearing down is another good habit.
Keep a good supply of items for oral care on hand
If you have extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, you can keep up your routine even when you’re busy. During the busy parts of the school year, you probably won’t want to make an extra trip to the food store. These are the kinds of things that can change the way you do things. Have enough products to last a term or a school year.
Eating well is important
This is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and your health as a whole. Don’t eat sweet or carb-rich foods too often. When you drink soda or energy drinks, eat sugary candy, bread-based snacks, or chips, it can be very bad for your teeth.
Bacteria break down the sugar into acid, which starts to mix with the enamel and cause decay. This goes along with your routine for taking care of yourself. Brushing gets rid of the bacteria, and a healthy diet keeps the bacteria from getting food.
Your mouth will feel much better if you drink a lot of water. It gets rid of harmful food particles and keeps your body’s systems and processes running smoothly. Our immune system is also important for our mouth health. Make sure you eat a wide range of fresh veggies and foods with nutrients.
Take care of your stress
At times, college will be hard. Our mouth health can be affected by stress. Stress is one of the main reasons why people grind their teeth (bruxism). This can wear down and hurt your teeth. Find ways to lower stress, like going to the gym regularly, making friends, and keeping up with your schoolwork. You might want to get a good nightguard from your doctor to stop stress from hurting your teeth.
Get monthly checkups at the dentist
Make sure you keep up with your monthly trips to the dentist. Even if you brush and floss correctly, hard calculus and tartar can build up on your teeth. This needs to be cleaned off to keep your gums and teeth healthy. It’s important to see your dental hygienist regularly for skilled cleanings. Your dentist will notice any problems with your teeth if you go in for regular checkups.
In summary
Taking care of your teeth and gums while you’re in college will help you for the rest of your life. We only get one set of adult teeth, and once damage has been done, our bodies can’t fix it. If you start good habits now, you can have a healthy, attractive smile for the rest of your life.
Dr. Shane Smith is my name. I am a general dentist who works in Jonesboro, Arkansas. My practice offers full dental care with a focus on high-quality preventive dentistry. We use top-of-the-line equipment and technology to give you a personal dental experience.
