I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
When you're busy juggling a job, home obligations, and numerous other responsibilities, it tough to balance it all. Unfortunately, a lot of habits you develop as a busy person may not be the best for your teeth. Here's a look at common habits among busy people that might be harming your teeth -- and how to curb them without a huge time commitment.
Habit #1: Forgetting to floss.
Do you brush your teeth in a hurry before running out the door, promising yourself you will floss later -- but breaking that promise most every time? Start packing floss in your car. That way, you don't even have to try to remember to use it before you leave the house. You can wait until you're stopped at a long light and floss your teeth, or do it quickly in the parking lot before heading into work. If you take public transit to work, that's even better. Pack floss in your purse, and use it on the train. Sure, people might give you strange looks, but you can feel confident knowing that what you're doing is good for your dental health.
Habit #2: Sipping coffee all day.
You might need your caffeinated drink to stay energized, but unfortunately, if it's loaded with cream and sugar, it's not doing you any favors. Slowly start reducing the amount of sugar you put into your coffee until you're comfortable drinking it black, or nearly black. If you cannot stand the idea of black coffee, consider switching to tea, which will still give you some caffeine and has a milder flavor that more people can tolerate without sugar.
Habit #3: Eating pre-packaged, frozen meals.
If you're eating frozen, packaged meals for lunch and dinner, you're probably getting a lot more sugar in your diet than you know -- and it's no secret that sugar is bad for your teeth. Even if they don't taste sweet, many of these pre-packaged meals contain added sugars to enhance their flavor. If you don't have time to cook for yourself, read labels carefully to choose ones that contain no added sugars. Better yet, try cooking large portions of a few dishes on the weekend, and then reheating them throughout the week.
It can be possible to maintain your busy schedule and take good care of your teeth. If you break the habits above, you'll be one step closer to achieving great dental health.
Click here for info about dental health.
Share22 October 2015
