Taking care of your health is integrated with ensuring a long and happy life; oral health is just one aspect of that. Like the other parts of your body, the mouth is filled with bacteria even though most of them are harmless. Since your mouth is the main entrance to your digestive and respiratory systems, it is crucial to keep it as clean as possible.
In this article, we will be focusing on predominant ways of protecting your oral health - this refers to the well-being of your gums, teeth, and the whole oral-facial system that lets you smile, speak, and chew.
It all starts by adopting simple habits and practicing them on a daily basis; like brushing your teeth at least twice a day or visiting your dentist every few months for a checkup.
Remember, it’s never too late to take control and take care of your oral health, which will ultimately improve your general well-being.
Below are six tips that dentists from all over the world recommend to their patients.
- Limit your Sugar Intake:
We all love sweets but we can’t hide from the fact that consuming large amounts of sugar on a daily basis attracts bad bacteria, which eventually cause tooth decay and dental plaque.
The science behind it? As soon as sugar gets into your mouth, it will be converted to cavity-causing acid. This doesn’t mean we should eliminate sugar from our diet altogether, but we should be more mindful of the amount we take in. You can also read the labels of food products to be more aware of what kind of and how much sugar and acid they contain.
Sidenote to keep in mind - you should wait at least half an hour before you brush your teeth, if you have drunk and/or eaten something that is acidic and/or sugary in nature. Intuitively, you may feel like brushing right away will decrease the negative effects but the reality is quite the opposite; it will instead damage your teeth and gums even more, because the acid will soften the tooth enamel for a while, and brushing too soon may damage the enamel while it's in its weakened state.
Fun fact - chewing sugar-free gum cleans out your teeth. How come? Well, chewing gum helps in the production of saliva, which in turn gets rid of the accumulated sugar around your teeth.
- Tooth Brushing
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is recommended that you brush your teeth for around two minutes twice a day with any fluoride containing toothpaste, because it cleans the bacteria and food stuck in your mouth. This will help prevent cavity formation. Fluoridated drinking water is also known for its benefits in reducing cavities.
It is also important to brush your teeth correctly. As a matter of fact, doing it incorrectly can be as harmful as not brushing at all. The right way is to move your toothbrush in a circular motion, slowly and gently removing the plaque. It’s also recommended to replace your toothbrush every now and then, to be specific, every three to four months on average. Alternatively, you can go for the electric toothbrush instead of the traditional manual one. With countless features such as a built-in timer, it surely makes it worth your buck. Note that it can also be more effective and safer. As for kids, the electric toothbrush is guaranteed to make brushing a much more fun experience.
So, next time don’t rush when brushing your teeth. Keep going for the entire two minutes and make sure to follow the correct formula.
- Tooth Flossing
Even though many people would underestimate it, but did you know that flossing your teeth is considered to be as important as brushing?
Now, you might wonder why then flossing isn’t as widely practiced as brushing among the majority of people. It’s because they do not know of the benefits, but Jonathan Schwartz explains how flossing helps to keep not only your teeth but also your gums healthy. Flossing not only removes the pieces of food in between your teeth, but also lowers the risk of inflammation and fights against cavity and plaque.
Also, don’t let the inconvenience that comes with the flossing process prevent you from doing it. There are ready-to-use dental flosses available in the market that will make the whole procedure super easy for you.
- Hydrate More Often
We all know that water is the source of life on Earth. We learn about its importance very early in age. It is also the go-to drink when it comes to your health as well. Most, if not all, physicians recommend drinking water after every meal. Take this as a rule of thumb, because water helps in washing out some of the negative effects of acidic and/or sticky foods and drinks that hold on between your flosses and brushes.
- Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Tobacco is considered to be among the leading causes of various health problems like lung cancer, and heart disease. As if this doesn’t make it bad enough, it is also linked to problems with oral health. In fact, a study found that smokers are four times more likely to suffer from oral problems than non-smokers. We’re talking about tooth discoloration, oral cancer, and gum-related diseases.
Similarly, alcohol is known for its detrimental effects on your body. It can lead to liver failure and high blood pressure. But what can it do for your oral health? Well, no surprise - the answer is nothing good. The consequences of consuming too much alcohol can be devastating. It can dry your mouth, for starters. This reduces saliva production that helps kill plaque-forming bacteria in your mouth. Most alcohol is also acidic and/or sugary, which ultimately leads to tooth decay and even tooth loss.
Here’s a simple statistic - people who consume alcohol in large amounts are more likely to develop oral cancer than those who do not.
- Dental Visits
For even the most decent and habitual brushes and flossers, dental visits for general oral checkups are highly advised at least twice per year, but it would be better to see your dentist even more often if you can. These routine checkups won’t necessarily be for teeth cleaning. What happens essentially is that the dentist will have a quick yet thorough examination of your teeth and gums to have an idea of the general status of your oral health. This will also help the dentist identify potential issues that may arise at a later stage and offer solutions or treatments from early on.
If the fee is of your concern, keep in mind that some dental insurance companies do cover frequent dental visits for checkups. Therefore, don’t miss out on that opportunity and take advantage of it for your own good. This is especially important if you have a history of dental issues, such as suffering from gingivitis or getting cavities more often than the average person.
These regular visits are different in the sense that they are scheduled in advance instead of whenever the need arises to treat issues such as a filling, root canal, tooth removal, and the like. Take into account that planning checkup visits ultimately prevents treatment visits.
Conclusion:
Aside from all of the above-mentioned points, there are still some additional steps that you should take in order to help protect your teeth. This includes brushing your tongue and the surface of your mouth, using mouthwash from a trusted brand, quitting smoking for good, maintaining a diet primarily consisting of vegetables and fruits, and so on.
Most importantly, if you feel any pain around your mouth area, it is best to see a specialist as soon as possible, since the latter will know best how to move forward and get rid of whatever is bothering you. The bacteria found in your teeth, if left untreated, could spread to your body through your bloodstream leading to serious infections.
Believe it or not, there is a clear correlation between a healthy mouth and a healthy body. Recent studies have actually found the connection between deteriorating oral health and underlying conditions such as heart disease, endocarditis, premature birth, and low birth weight.
All in all, practicing dental care from the early ages of childhood all the way to senior years will help individuals keep their teeth and gums in the best shape and form, creating fewer problems and resulting in fewer dental visits on the long run.