Smile with Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Health and Care

Dental Care for College Students

College can be one of the most fun and most rewarding times of your life. You are finally out of the house and on your own, there are plenty of social activities and you are probably going to make some life long memories and friendships. It’s also a very defining time of your life and you get to discover many things about yourself that you perhaps didn’t know before. With this hurried and busy campus lifestyle filled with social events and studies it can be far too easy to get out of some of your routines. Not only might you gain the infamous “Freshman 15” but you can also develop a variety of other health conditions. One thing you can do to ensure your health is to maintain your daily oral regimen. It will ensure your teeth remain healthy despite the craziness of college and it can protect your overall health as well. Here are some tips recommended by your dentist. Prior to heading off to college you should visit the dentist for your routine check up and you should continue to see your dentist regularly when you come home for breaks. Maintaining a good oral hygiene regime with the help of your top dentist can ensure that your teeth stay healthy when you are older.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Of course it’s no surprise that maintaining good oral hygiene habits is key to protecting your teeth in college. It’s one of the easiest things to skip though in a stacked up and crowded schedule. Many students leave their room or apartment early in the morning only to return late at night after a very busy day. It can be easy to just fall into bed for some much needed sleep without taking the time for proper oral care. Don’t do it. Keeping up good oral hygiene habits is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth. If you are going to slack in some area, don’t do it with your oral health. Minimally you should brush twice a day and floss regularly. You want to ensure your teeth are going to last you far past your college years.

Avoid Late Night Snacks

What college student doesn’t spend nights cramming for that next exam or preparing a term paper that has been put off too long? Eating those late night snacks and retiring without brushing your teeth allows sugar and acids to chip away at your tooth enamel all night long. Debris and food particles provide the perfect environment for the growth of bacteria which leads to gingivitis; not to mention that it can cause bad breath. If you do eat those late night snacks while you are studying, take time to brush your teeth before you head to bed.

Avoid Energy Drinks

Many people start drinking coffee to help keep them awake for those late night study sessions. Recently, students have begun to turn to energy drinks to help them get through the long nights. But the sugar and acid found in energy drinks and in some coffees can totally wreck your teeth. One study reported that energy drinks are twice as harmful to your teeth as sports drinks. If you have to drink an energy drink just to survive college life at least dilute it with water to lessen its effect. You can also brush your teeth after consuming an energy drink to help remove harmful sugars and acids.

Avoid Teeth Staining Substances

Coffee and tea are two of the most likely culprits for staining your teeth. Wine, particularly red wine can also stain your teeth. Berries and soy sauce have been known to stain teeth and even eating foods that are extremely hot or cold can contribute. Tobacco use of all kinds can stain your teeth as well as cause secondary conditions that harm your health.

Regular Check-ups

We all understand that nothing is “normal” about college life. Many things can get put on hold for those 4 or 5 years, especially if you are attending an out-of-state college or university. But you still need to continue with your regular dental checkups to ensure your teeth remain healthy. You may look for a dentist in your college town to provide regular checkups and cleanings; or you may try to schedule visits for when you return home on holidays or breaks. It’s advised to have a dental checkup at least every 6 months to keep your teeth, mouth and gums in the best condition. It’s also important to catch any conditions or problems early on so that they are more easily treated.