Your bite determines whether you’re reaching for an apple or a smoothie. Although both are delicious, you may want that crunch sensation of a whole apple. So what do you do when your teeth aren’t strong enough to take a bite?
While dental implants may, in fact, be necessary to correct your bite strength, there are a few things you can do to strengthen it in the meantime:
1. Keep Chewing Crisp Veggies
Known as “chewing foods,” fruits and vegetables like raw carrots, celery, cauliflower, green beans and snap peas. Crunching down on these not only automatically cleans your teeth, but they provide practice for your jaw to keep your bite going a little longer. While fruit may seem like a good option, it’s best in moderation due to high sugar levels, which linger long after you’re finished eating and cause decay.
2. Chew Sugarless Gum to Strengthen Your Bite
Similar to chewing on vegetables, sugarless gum automatically is good practice for your jaw and will help strengthen your bite. Additionally chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
3. Give Up Tobacco Products
According to research, 16 percent of smokers have poor dental health. That’s four times the rate of people who have never smoked. Smoking will do nothing but weaken your bite, teeth, and gums. Smokers develop bacterial plaque that causes gum disease and can result in tooth loss. Tooth decay will leave you without much bite at all.
4. Follow a Consistent Oral Care Routine
Although you’ve heard it many times it’s still the best way to ensure you’re taking care of your mouth – brush, and floss! Brush after every meal for at least two minutes and floss daily. Killing bacteria and getting food particles out will help prevent tooth decay and ultimately help strengthen your bite.
5. Stop Grinding
Some people grind their teeth when they’re angry or stressed. Others grind them in their sleep. No matter the reason, grinding your teeth isn’t doing your bite any favors. This condition, known as bruxism. Bruxism causes mouth pain, headaches, sleep interruption, and loose, chipped, and fractured teeth. Consider buying a moth guard wear at night. If you grind from anxiety you can try vitamins and herbal supplements believed to have a calming effect.
6. Visit Your Dentist/Periodontist Regularly
At Farber Center, we’re here to help you with every aspect of your oral health whether it be hygiene, surgery, or referrals. If your bite isn’t as strong as it could be, call us at 800.616.7010 to make an appointment. We’ll discuss your options and give you even more information about improving your bite.
Call us with any questions or to make an appointment.
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