How to keep your teeth healthy through college.

Going to college is an unforgettable experience that many look back on as some of their best years. During the excitement and chaos, it is important to maintain health habits, including good oral hygiene. Neglecting your dental health during your college years can have long-term consequences on both your well-being and even your finances. By taking care of your teeth and establishing good oral hygiene habits during your younger years, you can avoid potential health issues and save yourself from expensive dental procedures down the road.

Establish a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine.

Brushing your teeth twice a day as well as regular daily flossing is your way to actively maintain the health of your teeth and gums. It is important to remove the plaque and bacteria to help prevent cavities and gingivitis. Make sure to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to help strengthen enamel and promote remineralization of incipient cavities. Another beneficial habit is to use a soft bristled toothbrush using what is called the modified bass technique to be effective in removing plaque as well as preventing abrasion of your enamel.

Keep a good stock of Oral Care products.

Stocking up on toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss will help maintain your routine for when things get busy. You are probably not going to want to take an extra trip to the grocery store when you are in the busy parts of the school year. These are the types of situations that can break your habits. Have enough products to last a semester or school year.

Maintain a healthy diet.

This is one of the most influential habits not only for your teeth but health in general. Avoid repeated contact with sugary or carb rich foods. Sipping on soda or energy drinks, snacking on sugary candy, and bread-based snacks and chips can be very detrimental to your teeth. The sugar gets broken down into acid by bacteria which starts to react with enamel to cause decay. This goes hand in hand with your Hygiene Routine. Brushing removes the bacteria and proper diet prevents feeding the bacteria. Drinking plenty of water does wonders for your mouth. It helps remove harmful food particles and keeps your body's metabolism and systems working efficiently. We need our immune system to help support our oral health too. Make sure you are eating a variety of fresh vegetables and nutrient containing foods. Vitamin deficiencies can cause oral health problems.

Manage your stress.

College will be stressful at times. Stress can have an impact on our oral health. One of the big causes in teeth grinding (bruxism) is stress. This can cause wear and damage your teeth. Find ways to reduce stress such as getting regular exercise, creating a healthy social atmosphere, and managing your school workload. To prevent the impact of stress on your teeth, you may want to invest in a quality nightguard from your dentist.

See your dentist for regular checkups.

Make sure you are maintaining your regular dental visits. Even with proper brushing and flossing, hardened calculus and tartar can build up on teeth that needs to be removed to maintain health of the gums and teeth. Regular professional cleanings with your dental hygienist are important. Routine examination from your dentist will ensure that any problems with your teeth won't go unnoticed.

Conclusion

Maintaining your oral health through college will provide benefits for the rest of your life. We only get one set of adult teeth and unfortunately our bodies cannot repair damage once it starts. Build proper habits now and you can have a healthy beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

My name is Shane Smith DDS. I am a practicing general dentist in Jonesboro, AR. My practice provides comprehensive dental care with an emphasis on high quality preventative dentistry using top of the line equipment and technology to provide a personal dental experience