Dental Care
Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential for a healthy mouth. We rely on our oral health as it supports our ability to do the simple things like speak, smile and eat which plays a part in our mental wellbeing and social interactions.
Poor oral hygiene can be connected to other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancers or strokes.
To prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other oral concerns here are three ways to prevent these from happening.
- Regular tooth brushing
Having a clean mouth can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. By brushing your teeth regularly, it can reduce the amount of bacteria and plaque around your teeth and gums. For an effective clean you should:
- Brush your teeth twice a day; in the morning and before bed
- Use a small round toothbrush with soft bristles and pea size fluoride toothpaste
- Gently brush your teeth in circular motions and ensure you remember to clean the tooth from the front and back
- Spit out your toothpaste and do not swallow it or wash out with water. This allows the fluoride to strengthen your teeth.
To go along with your brushing, don’t forget to floss. It is important to remove the plaque in-between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach.
- Nutritious low sugar diet
The food and drink that we consume can impact our oral health. A diet that is heavy with sugar and starch feeds the bacteria that live on our teeth and gums. To ensure a healthy oral environment follow these tips:
- Limit how many times you have sweet foods
- Choose healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables yoghurt or popcorn
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit sugary and acidic soft drinks
- Cut down on sugar in coffee or tea
- Limit alcohol to reduce your risk of oral cancer
- Regular dental visits
To make sure our teeth and gums are healthy it is also important to have regular dentist visits. Dentists are trained professionals and can spot or treat any problems early on, which can prevent the problem from developing. They can also provide you advice on how to prevent disease, recommend fluoride treatments or advice on how to best look after your oral health.
Source: BetterHealth