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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health


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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

Homemade Mouthwash For Use After Your Teeth Have Been Bonded

If you have recently had a tooth bonding procedure for cracked or decayed teeth, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to extend the life of the resin. Besides brushing and flossing regularly and avoiding hard, chewy foods, use the homemade mouthwash described below twice a day.

Learn About The Ingredients

The natural ingredients used in the mouthwash can be found in pharmacies, supermarkets, and department stores. You may even have some of them readily available at home. 

Many commercial mouthwashes use alcohol as a base. While it does kill bacteria in the mouth and around the bonding material, it could eat away at the resin and decrease its lifespan. Instead of alcohol, this mouthwash uses table salt and water. Salt is a natural antibacterial agent that effectively kills most germs.

Along with salt, this recipe also includes baking soda. Baking soda helps neutralize acids in the mouth from foods and bacterial byproducts. High amounts of acid in the mouth could quickly eat away at the resin, weakening its ability to protect your teeth's enamel.

The peppermint oil has two purposes. First, it gives the mouthwash a pleasant flavor. Second, it helps relieve discomfort caused by increased sensitivity, a common side effect of bonding found around the edges of the resin.

Make And Use The Mouthwash

Now that you have an understanding of the ingredients, it is time to make your own mouthwash. Along with the items listed above, you will also need a clean bottle or jar large enough to make two cups.

In your container, add two cups of warm water, four tablespoons of table salt, and three tablespoons of baking soda. Place the lid on the container and shake vigorously.

Then, open the container and add 10 drops of the peppermint oil. Close the container, shake a few times, then let the solution set for an hour to give the ingredients time to dissolve and meld together.

Before brushing and flossing your teeth, shake the container a couple of times. Then, pour out a quarter of a cup into a small glass. Rinse your mouth with the mouthwash for two minutes, then spit it out. Continue with your usual dental care regimen.

Cosmetic dentistry, like bonding and dental implant procedures, can help increase confidence, but it requires maintenance. Along with meticulous dental care, the above mouthwash can help extend the life of your teeth's bonds. However, if you notice any chipping, staining, or increase in discomfort, you may want to contact your cosmetic dentist to have them examine your teeth to make sure the resin is still in place.