Did you know that your mouth is a window to understanding the condition of your general health? Come March 20th and the world celebrates World Oral Health Day! Studies reveal that oral hygiene is important for both, children and adults alike.
You might think brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, is enough to take care of your teeth. Is that so? Well, then you need to rethink! Here is an interesting fun fact - your teeth are designed to be very strong and can brave extremes. However, if they are not properly taken care of, they are prone to decay!
World Oral Health Day spreads awareness regarding how to avoid oral risk factors, inculcate healthy habits and best practices to protect your mouth and body. Oral healthcare or hygiene extends much more than just a smile! It impacts different aspects of our lives – from feeling good to being healthy, from enjoying food and feeling self-confident to personal relationships and more!
Here are 5 healthy oral hygiene tips. Take them at face-value, practice them regularly to smile all the way for life!
1. Brush and Floss regularly
You should brush and floss at least once a day. Ideally, you should be brushing after every meal. When you brush, you should be conscious about the way you do so, ensuring your brush bristles cover every part of your mouth. Moreover, you should brush at least for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing is required for interdental cleaning of the areas where your toothbrush can’t reach. It helps reduce gum diseases, which have often been linked to pancreatic cancer, heart problems and pneumonia to name a few. Besides, use mouthwash alongside brushing and flossing.
2. Know the One-Hour Rule
It takes an average time of 40 minutes for the mouth to neutralize the acid that is caused due to eating. Hence, instead of brushing immediately, it makes sense to wait for an hour before brushing. Moreover, brushing immediately causes the enamel in the teeth to get brushed away. Hence, that can be avoided.
3. Drink lots of water, ensure intake of calcium, Vitamin D and selected food
The benefits of water are many. It encourages the production of saliva, which is important for healthy teeth. It is much better than any of the sugar-drinks, which gives rise to plaque over a period of time due to the presence of bacteria on the teeth.
Calcium is the essential ingredient required for the development of dense bones and strong teeth. It is available from sources like dairy products and nuts. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of the calcium into your body. Hence, make sure you have sufficient exposure to the sun! Besides, you should also include bananas and food like cucumber, carrots, potatoes, broccoli that decrease the level of acidity in the mouth by increasing the pH level.
4. Limit Coffee, Soda, Alcohol & Quit Smoking
Coffee, soda and alcohol contain phosphorous, which is good for health only in small quantities. Intake in large quantities deplete the body’s level of calcium leading to dental hygiene issues. Moreover, beverages like food dye and corn syrup can make white teeth appear dull.
Hence, instead of the above, drink beverages like milk that are rich in calcium. It is because they restore the calcium content, make your teeth strong and help you to regain your beautiful smile.
Smoking is a strict no! It has severe damaging impacts on health in every way, leading to cancer and other life-threatening diseases. So, stub the bud for good. No one likes to see nicotine-stained teeth, isn’t it?
5. Visit a Dentist every 6 months
Make sure you routinely visit a dentist every 6 month. Dentists can thoroughly clean your teeth and check for plaque, cavities, or any other dental issues that need to be addressed. As stated before, dental health is an indicator of the overall health; thus, your health condition can be known. However, you can also ask an online doctor for advice.
The importance of oral hygiene cannot be undermined. It is a very essential aspect of good health. By following these dental healthcare tips, you can choose the best oral hygiene products like brushes, toothpastes, mouthwashes and more that suit you best. These will help you to improve your technique and ensure you're doing everything to maintain good oral hygiene, which eventually reflects good health!
