News Year's Resolutions for a Healthy Smile

Top 10 tips for a healthy smile in 2011

1.       Brush and floss twice a day,( change your brush 4 times a year).

2.       Use a Fluoride toothpaste.

3.       Use a disinfectant mouthwash.

4.       Chew  a few pieces of Xylitol gum or mints throughout the day(freshens breath, protects teeth and tastes good).

5.       Never use your teeth for anything except chewing food . Biting your nails, pencils pens, thread, or any other foreign object damages your teeth.

6.       Don’t chew ice cubes.

7.       If you clench or grind your teeth, get fitted with a mouthguard/biteplane by your dentist.

8.       If you engage in any of the following activities listed below,  get fitted with a mouthguard *.

9.       Visit your dentist regularly.

10.   Avoid or minimize these foods listed below**.

*Activities where a mouthguard is recommended:

·         Football

·         Basketball

·         Soccer

·         Field hockey

·         Boxing

·         Lacrosse

·         Tennis

·         Racquetball

·         Wrestling

·         Boxing

·         Volleyball

·         Baseball

·         Softball

·         Cycling

·         Mountain biking

·         Skateboarding

·         Motocross

·         Off-roading of any type

·         BMX biking

·         Mountain biking

·         Horseback riding

·         Skiing

·         Snowboarding

·         Sledding

·         Hockey

·         Karate or other Martial Arts

·        Weight or Strength Training

** Foods to avoid or minimize:

·         Soda (any kind) but especially ones sweetened with sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

·         Any fruit drinks with added sugar (high fructose corn syrup etc) read the label and if sugar, high fructose corn syrup is one of the top 3 ingredients, watch out). Better to eat the fruit than drink the juice as the fruit has fiber and vitamins to help the body .

·         Raisins (have a high sugar content and stick to teeth)

·         Any sweet candy unless sweetened with Xylitol, Sorbitol or Mannitol. Sports drinks

·         Energy drinks unless there is no sugar or High fructose corn syrup in it.

·         Any starchy foods… foods with highly processed flour it , breads, pasta, etc..

·         Treats like fruit rollups, donuts, rice crispy treats, cookies, cake, pie, brownies, Craisins.

·         These are best eaten with a daily meal so the assault on your teeth is minimized

·          Avoid putting sugar in coffee and tea… use Xylitol , or Stevia if you must sweeten your drinks.

(Consider substituting sugar with cooking with Xylitol and Stevia when making foods at home.)

Warning signs that you should consult a dentist promptly about include:

·         Loose teeth.     

·         Teeth that are moving or shifting.

·         Bleeding gums.

·         Persistent bad breath.

·         Chipped and worn teeth.

·         Temperature and/or and biting sensitivity.

·         Swelling, sensitivity to sweets.

·         Receding gums.

·         A funny taste.

·         Sore jaws in the morning.

·         Headaches.

·         Dry mouth.

·         Sores in the mouth that last longer than 10 days.

·         Loose fillings or restorations.

Your comments are welcome.

Sincerely,

Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake,  Illinois  60014
www.DrNeal.com