When you are at work, you probably don't have time to consider your oral health. However, the decisions you make during the working week can have a big impact on the health of your teeth and gums. If you want to protect your teeth while maintaining focus on your work, you need to establish some healthy habits. Take a look at these four tips to help you take care of your teeth at work.
1. Worship the Water Cooler
So many of the drinks people use to get them through a tough day are harmful to oral health. Cola and other sugary drinks feed the bacteria that cause dental decay, as well as containing acids that can weaken tooth enamel. Coffee and tea aren't as harmful, but they contain dark-coloured chemicals called tannins, which can stain teeth. Avoid all these risks by drinking water instead of other types of beverages while you work.
2. Pack a Tooth-Friendly Lunch
The foods you eat can have a big impact on your dental health. If your lunch box is packed with cookies, cake and other sweet snacks, your teeth may suffer. Make your dentist happy by packing more tooth-friendly options, such as carrot or celery sticks, hummus, nuts, or unsweetened Greek yoghurt. These foods are low in sugar, so they won't encourage bacterial growth to the same extent as sweet snacks. The calcium in yoghurt can also help your body to maintain strong and healthy teeth.
3. Brush After Lunch, But Not Too Soon
You might think that brushing your teeth after you eat lunch can counteract the damaging effects of the sugar and acids you consumed. While brushing your teeth during the work day is a good idea, it's best not to brush immediately after lunch. Dentists recommend waiting between 20 and 30 minutes after you eat before you brush your teeth. This short delay gives the acidity of your mouth time to return to normal, so you don't wear away your enamel when you brush. Set a timer to remind yourself when to brush.
4. Floss and Rinse
Brushing is just one part of protecting your dental health. Give your teeth first-class care by flossing them and using mouthwash during your afternoon clean. Flossing not only protects your teeth and gums, but also removes particles of food that are stuck in your teeth, helping you avoid the embarrassment of having spinach between your teeth when you stand up to give a presentation. Meanwhile, mouthwash freshens your breath, allowing you to feel confident when interacting with your coworkers.
Share15 September 2016
Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Kerry, and this blog is focused on dental fillings. It looks at the history of fillings, options for contemporary fillings, how to protect your fillings, when to replace them and much more. If you have ever had a cavity filled or if you are planning to get a tooth filled, you will find the information in this blog useful. I try to look at fillings from all angles, and I even plan to look at how to avoid fillings through proper dental hygiene and sealants. Thanks for reading, and I hope you find the info intellectually "filling."
