Ways To Preserve Your Oral Health At Work

Caring for your teeth can seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you don't adhere to good dental practices when you are away from home. Many people only spend a fraction of time at their house. The majority of their day is spent in the workplace. However, there are multiple things that you can do to preserve your oral health even when you are at work. Here are a few of them:

Avoid the office treats.

Oftentimes donuts, danishes or other sweets may be brought into the workplace to boost office morale. However, the carbohydrate content of these items can be detrimental to the health of your teeth. Sweets don't just promote the development of plaque. They serve as a perfect food source for oral bacteria.

Oral bacteria are the primary sources of decay-causing acid in your mouth. As the bacteria feed on particles of carbohydrates, they produce acid. This acid immediately begins to dissolve your tooth enamel to incite tooth decay that can result in serious cavities or even tooth loss. Additionally, the acid irritates sensitive gums.

Instead of choosing one of these sweet treats that may be available on a community tray in your office, bring along fresh sliced vegetables to munch on. Uncooked vegetables typically have a low sugar content. Additionally, since they tend to be fibrous in texture, so they can help scrub your teeth free of plaque in the absence of a toothbrush. As an added bonus, the veggies are less likely to add girth to your waistline.

If you don't prefer vegetables, chew a stick of sugarless gum to keep your mouth busy. The gum can help clean your mouth by pulling debris from your teeth. Additionally, it can encourage your salivary glands to produce more saliva to wash away plaque. Since the gum is sugar-free, it will not promote decay.

Sip on water throughout the day.

Water is inexpensive and readily available. Instead of drinking large amounts of coffee or soft drinks at work, sip a bottle of water periodically. The water helps dilute any bacterial acids that may be in your mouth as it washes away food particles and plaque.

Also, water can provide small amounts of fluoride. As fluoride is introduced into the mouth, it combines with other minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to coat the teeth and produce a tooth material that resists acid better than your original enamel. Water is also non-staining, so you don't have to worry about discoloring your teeth by drinking it throughout the day.

To learn more ways to care for your teeth and gums in the workplace, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area such as Olson, Brant N DDS PA.

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