During these tough economic times, many regular activities are being put on hold — and that includes visits to the dentist, as reported by Medill Reports.
So how can people take care of their teeth now to avoid expensive dental procedures in the future? Chicago Dental Society dentists gave us the top ten budget-friendly ways to care for teeth at home:
1) Drink plenty of water. It’s a “natural” mouthwash that can help reduce stains left by coffee, soda and red wine.
2) Eat a piece of cheese. After dinner, munch on some cheddar - it can help neutralize acids in your mouth.
3) Chew sugar free gum. Chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps to wash away plaque acid and bathe teeth in needed minerals to strengthen tooth enamel.
4) Wait to brush after acidic drinks. After drinking orange juice and soda pop, don’t reach for the toothbrush right away. Wait at least 20 minutes to reduce the chance of enamel wear.
5) Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. A small amount of H2O2 mixed with water makes a great anti-bacterial and whitening rinse after brushing. Just don’t swallow!
6) Brush with baking soda, a gentle abrasive that can clean like toothpaste.
7) Use a straw. Might feel awkward to drink coffee or red wine through a straw, but doing so can help minimize direct contact between your pearly whites and these staining liquids.
8) Soften your toothbrush. Sensitive teeth can find relief from rough bristles by running the toothbrush under hot water before brushing.
9) Avoid sugar and starches. Both sugar and carbs can feed bacteria that causes tooth decay. It’s just not the sweet stuff - a handful of crackers can have the same effect as a candy bar at feeding bacteria.
10) Brush and floss. Duh.
The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 300 members to find out how the economy is affecting dental care. More than half say their patients are putting off needed dental work. More than 40 percent of dentists report that visits for preventative dental care are also on the decline.
Taking care of your teeth now can prevent expensive dental procedures in the future. And while regular dental visits do play an important role in overall care, here are some at-home remedies that will help your smile-and your wallet.
Top Ten Budget Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
So how can people take care of their teeth now to avoid expensive dental procedures in the future? Chicago Dental Society dentists gave us the top ten budget-friendly ways to care for teeth at home:
1) Drink plenty of water. It’s a “natural” mouthwash that can help reduce stains left by coffee, soda and red wine.
2) Eat a piece of cheese. After dinner, munch on some cheddar - it can help neutralize acids in your mouth.
3) Chew sugar free gum. Chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps to wash away plaque acid and bathe teeth in needed minerals to strengthen tooth enamel.
4) Wait to brush after acidic drinks. After drinking orange juice and soda pop, don’t reach for the toothbrush right away. Wait at least 20 minutes to reduce the chance of enamel wear.
5) Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. A small amount of H2O2 mixed with water makes a great anti-bacterial and whitening rinse after brushing. Just don’t swallow!
6) Brush with baking soda, a gentle abrasive that can clean like toothpaste.
7) Use a straw. Might feel awkward to drink coffee or red wine through a straw, but doing so can help minimize direct contact between your pearly whites and these staining liquids.
8) Soften your toothbrush. Sensitive teeth can find relief from rough bristles by running the toothbrush under hot water before brushing.
9) Avoid sugar and starches. Both sugar and carbs can feed bacteria that causes tooth decay. It’s just not the sweet stuff - a handful of crackers can have the same effect as a candy bar at feeding bacteria.
10) Brush and floss. Duh.
The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 300 members to find out how the economy is affecting dental care. More than half say their patients are putting off needed dental work. More than 40 percent of dentists report that visits for preventative dental care are also on the decline.
Taking care of your teeth now can prevent expensive dental procedures in the future. And while regular dental visits do play an important role in overall care, here are some at-home remedies that will help your smile-and your wallet.
Top Ten Budget Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
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