As a man, there are things you need to worry about on a regular basis, like supporting your family, maintaining a career, staying fit, and much more. However, did you know your smile should be another thing you should keep in mind throughout the day? Well, it’s true. There are many things today that can harm your oral health. To help you be aware of these things, our Dr. Kent Stapley & Dr. Nathan Kitchen dental team will be happy to tell you all about them.
Unfortunately, certain medications have side effects that cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is a common issue that is harmful because it impedes saliva production. If you don’t produce enough saliva, your mouth won’t be cleaned from harmful oral bacteria on a regular basis. This can cause many dental issues, especially tooth decay. So, the best thing you can do is fight dry mouth as much as possible by chewing sugarless gum, refraining from using tobacco products, avoiding drinking alcohol, using alcohol-free mouthwash daily, and sipping on water throughout the day.
Tobacco use is also something that can severely harm your smile and oral health. This is because it can promote and cause oral cancer as well as gum disease, which is why it’s strongly recommended to avoid using tobacco products altogether. If you tend to use tobacco products, make sure you attend your six-month checkups so your teeth and gums can remain as healthy as possible.
The last thing that can harm your smile is playing sports without the protection of a mouthguard. No matter which sport you play, there is a chance that the ball, a player, or a hard object can hit your mouth and result in oral injury, such as chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. So, the best way you can protect your smile is by wearing a mouthguard while you are active.
If you use our tips, keep up on oral hygiene, and visit your dentist every six months, you’ll be on your way toward the top-notch oral health and smile you deserve. For more information and details about how to maintain a strong, manly smile in Mesa, Arizona, please call our office at 480-830-8946 at your earliest convenience. Dr. Kent Stapley and Dr. Nathan Kitchen look forward to supporting all of your oral health needs!