Dental health is extremely important at all stages of life. Whether you are a child, teenager or an adult, your Dental hygiene is going to play a pivotal role in your overall health. However, the mouth-and-body-health connection becomes even more important after the age of 30. According to science, our bodies start to age once we hit the age of 30, and in this, it is imperative we level up on our healthy habits to make sure we age gracefully and in a healthy manner.

Dental diseases and inflammation have been linked to the early onset of diabetes, heart problems, and even stroke. This is why you should start paying special attention to your dental health once you hit 30. If you haven’t developed any healthy Dental Habits by now, this is where you should start:

1. Brushing –With a Gap of At least 30 Minutes after Eating

It goes without saying that brushing twice a day is necessary. Once in the morning and once at night. However, the new dental recommendations state people have been doing it all wrong when they brush after every meal or right after eating dinner or breakfast.

According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’ve consumed anything acidic, you should avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes. Foods containing citric acid, like oranges, grapefruits and lemons, weaken tooth enamel. Brushing too soon after eating them can damage the enamel in its weakened state.

Consequently, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth before eating an acidic food and to drink a glass of water when you are finished to wash away the acids. As an alternative to waiting to brush your teeth, try eating nutritious foods that are low in carbohydrates and sugar after eating something acidic. This will help reduce the harmful acids that such foods can create.
In addition, according to the American Dental Association, prolonged exposure to phosphoric acid, which can be found in soft drinks like soda and diet soda, can erode hard tissues from the tooth surface. Acid erosion causes permanent damage to your teeth. To keep acid erosion to a minimum, limit snacking between meals and be mindful of consumption of soft drinks and sugary snack foods.

2. Flossing With The Right Tool

While the empirical scientific research may state flossing does little to help with dental health, however, the experiential knowledge and evidence state that flossing does make a difference. This is why all dentists recommend it. However, the difference is in how you floss.

When you brush, you catch only 3 of the 5 surfaces of your tooth; the front, back, and bottom. However, flossing makes sure the plaque on the sides is removed. Flossing every night before going to bed is imperative for people over 30. However, instead of using a flossing tread, use thin brushes designed for flossing. These work better as the tooth surface is rarely flat, and the brush bristles can reach a greater surface area than a flossing thread.

3. Hydrating your Mouth Before Bed

As you age, your mouth starts to get drier. And dryness makes it a healthy ground for bacteria to breed. Alongside, caffeine, alcohol and sugary stuff can dehydrate and dry out your mouth even more. This is why it is essential to increase your water intake, especially before bedtime, so your mouth won’t get dry at night.
Dry mouth is also the biggest culprit of bad breath. Finish off your nightly dental routine with a big glass of water. Drink it up, and hold the water in the mouth for a few seconds to adequately moisturize your mouth.

These are the top three Nightly Dental Habits you should incorporate in your bedtime routine –especially after you hit 30!

The post Nightly Dental Habits for People Over 30 – As Recommended by Dental Experts appeared first on Bloom Orthodontics Long Beach, CA | Inbrace and Invisalign.