At home, between check-ups!
There is no substitute for seeing your dentist for regular checkups at least twice a year. The dental care they provide, in state-of-the-art facilities, with high tech equipment, is not something you can replicate at home.
There are, however, many things you can do at home (DIY) between visits.
DIY Quick Tips at a Glance
#1 Green Drinks!
They’re everywhere these days. Most juice bars (think Jamba Juice) have them. Your local grocery store should have a version or two (we know Trader Joe’s does!) and you can make them at home. Green drinks and juices can be easily found AND they don’t have to taste bad. With added fruits such as pineapple and apple, green drinks offer a little sweetness with a powerful pack of nutrients.
Reason:
According to one of our favorite sources, Dr. Ax, a doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist, the enzymes in green drinks provides protection from tooth decay and plaque formation.
DIY Tip:
Pick one up at your favorite juice bar location or make one at home & drink away!
A Quick Recipe
In a juicer blend the following:
- 2 Apples
- 3 Kale spears
Transfer to a blender & blend in:
- 1 Banana
- ½ Mango
- 1 Ripe Peach
Add coconut milk or fresh juice for volume and YUM!
Don’t have a juicer?
That’s okay, you can pick up this same combo at your local juice shop. Just ask!
#2 Healthy Food!
From Superfoods to raw, wholesome fruits & vegetables; healthy food is our biggest DIY oral health asset. They are readily available and, when consumed daily, work in our best defense for a healthy mouth. So which foods rank as the top choices for a healthy diet?
- Wild-caught fish such as salmon and mackerel
- Raw foods such as carrots and apples
- Foods with a high level of fat soluble vitamins like coconut and bone broth.
Reason:
These healthy foods help fight gum disease in various ways.
Wild-caught fish contains beneficial Omega-3’s that reduce inflammation, while fresh, raw vegetables help clean teeth while we eat them. Additionally, the really great benefits of fat-soluble vitamins from foods like coconut and bone broth help to fight gingivitis. How cool is that?
Foods can aid with good oral hygiene and help us out! Do It Yourself!
DIY Tip:
Go to the farmer’s market, fill your bags with fresh produce & eat more healthy food!
DIY Healthy Foods [Sample] Grocery List:
- Wild Salmon
- Celery
- Apples
- Coconut
- Grass-Fed Beef
- Carrots
- Raw Milk
- Almonds
- Strawberries
- Sardines
- Bone Broth
- Broccoli
Add in healthy foods like almonds, raw milk and Kale for a well-rounded variety!
Note: This grocery list is intended as a sample to get you started as a helpful part of your DIY Dental Care.
#3 Dentist Offered At-Home Whitening Kits
While there definitely are ways to whiten your teeth with peroxide based products, many processes are unclear, potentially unsafe and often don’t provide long-lasting results. It may seem convenient, quick and easy to take it upon yourself to follow an at home recipe; in fact, it could work! However, the safest way to ensure the best results at home are with kits that your dentist dispenses.
Reason:
As we mentioned above, results with products and recipes that you find through alternative resources may or may not provide good results. On the other hand, with at-home whitening kits directly from your dentist, you can be confident that you are getting a product that your dentist believes in, one that will give you the results you are looking for.
DIY Tip:
Check in with your dentist and purchase a kit directly from a professional.
DIY Teeth Whitening Considerations:
While at home kits can give you immediate results in the comfort of your own home, there are other factors to consider with keeping your teeth white.
- Stay Hydrated!
If you are drinking more water it is less likely that you will choose other types of drinks that can stain your teeth. Also, water helps keep bacteria from building up on your teeth.
- Ensure Best Results.
Your dentist will be able to provide you with detailed instructions and a customized whitening tray. Be sure to follow directions completely.
- Know the Alternatives!
DIY kits from your dentist are a great way to take care of your teeth-whitening needs at home, it’s true. However, if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, please trust your dentist to take care of your whitening needs in-office. Consider these reasons for allowing us to help with your whitening needs – Click Here
With all of these DIY tips, we encourage you to do what it takes to take care of your teeth in between checkups, with confidence, at home.
You can Do-It-Yourself! As usual, we are always here for you, CALL US for any help you may need.
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