Oral health is incredibly important. Yet many people overlook it because they think that there is no association between the health of a person’s mouth and the rest of the body. Oral hygiene also has a huge impact on your personality.
Dental decay or gum problems can lead to pain, gum swelling and even tooth loss if left untreated. According to researchers, these dental problems can cause speech impediment, eating difficulties that can lead to malnutrition in the long term and challenges in daily life activities. Moreover, poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities and gum disease and has also been linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes1.
The earlier you learn proper dental care, the easier it’ll be to avoid costly dental procedures such as dental bonding, dental implants, dental veneers and even oral surgery in some conditions.
There are plenty of proper dental care options available that can keep your gums and teeth healthy.
1. Brush regularly
You can brush 10 times a day, but if you don’t brush using the correct technique it is not effective at all. Brush for at least 2 minutes thoroughly, move your brush in a small circular pattern. Avoid brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush, it can cause tooth sensitivity, enamel damage and gum erosion.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA) using a soft bristle toothbrush is more beneficial for gums. Your toothbrush needs to be replaced at least once every 3 months2.
2. Floss once a day
While you eat food it gets stuck between your teeth. If you don’t pay attention bacteria can grow into these food particles there and form plaques. Flossing can remove these bacterial plaques where a toothbrush is unable to clean. You almost miss cleaning 35% of the surface of your teeth if you just brush and don’t floss.
Floss properly in slow up and down motion, otherwise, you can damage your gums. Some people have a routine of brushing their teeth first and then flossing. However, it’s generally recommended to floss and then brush your teeth3.
3. Cut down on sugar
Consuming sugar has a major role in the development of dental caries. Reducing sugar intake benefits your dental health. Millions of bacteria live inside the oral cavity, eating sugar-rich food provide them energy and these bacteria destroy your teeth enamel.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) systematic literature review 2010, dental caries is lower when free sugars intake is less than 10% of energy intake4.
Avoid sugary drinks, starchy food and processed foods that contain added sugar. If you drink soda or eat candy make sure to brush afterwards or at least rinse your mouth out with water.
4. Regular Dental Checkups
According to the expert recommendation, see your dentist twice a year. These visits are very important to your overall oral health. Having a complete dental exam ensures that there are no undetected problems in your mouth and helps prevent future problems from occurring.
If you continue to overlook your dental issues for months, it can end up losing teeth in your early life and you will have to spend a lot of money on dental implants and dentures.
The frequency of dentist visit may vary depending upon your age, past medical history, and overall dental health.
5. Use fluoride
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, present in the earth soil in its pure form fluorine. It is also known as nature’s cavity fighter because it helps prevent cavities in children and adults.
Fluoride makes the outer surface of your teeth enamel more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay. It is also imperative in remineralization. Dental products, toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride is highly recommended by professionals. Other than that, it is found naturally in water sources. For the past 70 years, many communities have added fluoride to public water supplies to bring fluoride levels up to the amount necessary to help prevent tooth decay5.
The results of a recent study show that water fluoridation helps prevent tooth decay by at least 25% in children and adults in the United States.
Conclusion
Practising oral hygiene can prevent you from life-threatening diseases including heart disease, respiratory infections, dementia, diabetes, pregnancy complications, infertility, cancer, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Little care sometimes makes a huge difference. Don’t overlook dental checkup every 6 months, brush twice a day, floss and eat a balanced and nutritional diet.
[1] Written by DoW Staff. “Dental Health for Life: 12 Things Your Dentist Wants You to Know.” Dash of Wellness. January 16, 2019. Accessed April 24, 2020.
[2] Written by Jennifer Berry. “What to do for healthy teeth and gums.” Medical News Today. Accessed April 24, 2020.
[3] Written by Valencia Higuera. “What’s the Best Way to Floss Your Teeth?” healthline. Accessed April 24, 2020.
[4] Action on Sugar.” Sugars and Tooth Decay “. Action on Sugar. Accessed April 24, 2020.
[5] Mouth Healthy ™ ” Fluoride.” Mouth Healthy TM. Accessed April 24, 2020.
