HealthyBea

Cheers to Dental Health

Even though most of my posts at least touch on an emotion, you might be surprised to hear that this one…all about dental health, is no exception. Oral hygiene and I go way back, and we unfortunately do not have a happy relationship. Aligning with my try hard personality and work ethic, I was dedicated to keeping my teeth clean as a kid. I flossed every night and brushed three times a day. I have flashbacks to running to the tiny sinks in my elementary school bathroom to sneak in a round of cleaning post-peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch. 

Unfortunately, I did not establish my habits due to good marks at the dentist. Quite the opposite, really. A tragic combination of my teeth’s shape, the (very short) distance between each, and grinding while sleeping resulted in a constant outflow of dental funds for one filling or sealant appointment after another. Sorry, mom and dad…but at least I saved us the investment of braces, am I right? I was frustrated that all of the time, work, and effort I put into my oral hygiene didn’t seem to be making a difference. 

Thankfully, my adult teeth have proved to be much less difficult, but that’s also due to my laser focus on a revamped routine (and a bit of luck). Looking to reignite your dental health? You have come to the right place! Of course, I am not a dentist, so please consult with the professionals when you have specific questions about any technical details involved in my recommendations. Note, I gained many of these practices from renowned dentists while listening to podcasts, so they do carry some merit 🙂 

Steps to a Whiter Smile & Improved Oral Hygiene

1. Floss: Floss at night. Just do it. You have a whole day’s worth of build-up between your teeth that a brush might not be able to find. It takes 30 seconds, people! In general, I endeavour to limit chemicals or any product that might disrupt my microbiomes, so I tend to stay away from floss promoted as (artificially) minty and slick. Instead, try this natural one from Radius…casually made from silk. It is the best I have found and spookily lasts forever. 
2. Toothbrush:
   1. Cost: The most noticeable change I made over the last year is transitioning to an electric toothbrush. Certainly an expensive alternative, but worth it when considering how much you may be saving from the dental procedures you’re avoiding.
   2. Gums: My dentist noticed a big improvement in my gums, which were always a bit inflamed and starting to recede due to the pressure I was adding from brushing with a regular toothbrush. An electric alternative solves this problem by lighting up when detecting too much pressure. 
   3. White: Since I started using an electric toothbrush, the tiny stains that usually creep up in between dentist check-ups are almost non-existent! Pretty impressive. 
3. Tongue Scraper: ALERT ALERT – this £7 ($5) tool by Dr. Tung’s is a GAME CHANGER!!! Seriously. If you haven’t started using one yet, please trust me here. I will warn you that it does feel strange the first few times you use it, but once you get the hang of it, you will never go back. I use it first thing in the morning before brushing or drinking water. It removes all of the gunk from your tongue, flushing out bacteria accumulated while sleeping. Your mouth will feel infinitely cleaner and breath so much fresher. I hear that stainless steel is superior (vs. copper) because it’s more hygienic and carries less risk for toxicity from heavy metals.  
4. Mouthwash: I have a bit of an obsession with a fresh and minty mouth feel, so I used to turn to mouthwash when I had already brushed 2-3 times and didn’t want to chew gum. However, I repeatedly heard from professionals that its harsh chemicals not only kill the bad bacteria in your mouth, but unfortunately, also the good. So, I reluctantly stopped using it after tapering out usage until my last bottle was empty. Up to you, but do some research if you’re not convinced! 
5. Beverages: I admit that I drink 2-3 cups of coffee and/or matcha everyday, and do occasionally enjoy a glass or two of red wine in the evening. However, I consciously make an effort to cap my dark/acidic drink count to protect the enamel on my teeth and limit staining. One pro tip (that I very much could have made up) is swishing water in your mouth during and after consumption of these types of drinks. Not only does it refresh your breath, but I believe it also removes some of the tannins guilty of discolouring your pearly whites. 
6. Gum: Gum is an interesting one for me. I used to chew 2 pieces every day following a meal. I know it can be a bit controversial in terms of what you end up consuming just by chewing, but I removed the habit for many reasons. I was relying on it too much, I didn’t want to maintain the investment, the additional air consumed while chewing hurt my stomach, and I wasn’t convinced its health impacts were particularly positive. I do occasionally enjoy chewing on a piece for a few minutes as a mouthwash replacement, but you can weigh the pros and cons for yourself. 

I share these tips with you to hopefully help you prevent some uncomfortable (and expensive) dentist visits. Equally important, though, I want everyone to feel confident in their smile and find health and comfort stemming from their dental hygiene. 

Cheers to a healthy and gorgeous smile!

Best,

Bea