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We cannot underestimate our oral health because experts say oral health is a global health problem. Keeping good daily habits such as brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly visiting the dentist is necessary. Oral health problem doesn’t only cause pain in the mouth but can also cause self-confidence issues to nutritional issues that will impact a person’s health. Here is the way to prevent these things from happening:
- Brush your teeth twice a day gently
To optimize dental and oral health, brush your teeth twice a day. However, this is not practical with random movements. We must use the proper technique and the right toothbrush to avoid damaging the tooth enamel and gums when brushing our teeth.
We recommend you to do this correct toothbrush movement:
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- Do it in a small circular way and carefully, in two to three minutes.
- Do not be too aggressive in brushing your teeth because it will hurt the gums).
- Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three months.
- Use toothpaste that contains fluoride
Several health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and ADA recommend adding fluoride substances to water supplies. Many dental care products do not contain fluoride. A recent review found that brushing teeth twice a day and flossing alone is not enough if toothpaste is devoid of fluoride, which is the function of this substance to prevent cavities.
- Flossing is important
Brushing your teeth twice a day can’t be said to be optimal in removing dirt that sticks to your teeth. This toothbrush cannot reach deeper teeth to clean the remaining dirt there. Therefore, flossing is a way that can optimize the cleaning. World organizations such as the ADA and the CDC also recommend this.
The method recommended by some dental hygienists in using dental floss is to slowly insert the floss between the teeth up to the gum line before moving up and down movements. Avoid movements that are too fast or aggressive, which can cause pain and will not remove dirt optimally.
- See a dentist
Seeing the dentist does not always have to be when we feel pain, such as sore gums, cavities, and other diseases that require going to the doctor. Even in healthy conditions, we can visit the dentist to take care of our teeth, such as cleaning tartar that is difficult to remove and detecting signs that endanger oral and dental health. They sometimes also use dental X-rays to check for cavities. Recent research results explain that children and adolescents should visit the dentist every six months to help prevent cavities. However, adults who practice good dental hygiene daily and have a low risk of oral health problems may be able to go less frequently.
We recommend consulting with our dentists at Kita Dental on how often you need a check-up; this may depend on your health history, age, and overall dental health. Our dental clinic is located at Mascot, Sydney.
- Do not smoke
There are many adverse effects of smoking and health problems in the body. The CDC and ADA state that smokers have a higher risk of gum disease and may experience slow healing after dental procedures. Cigarettes also cause yellowed teeth and bad breath.
- Mouthwash
It is incomplete if you only want to clean your teeth by brushing and flossing. The use of mouthwash can be a complement to this activity. We recommend you get the dentist’s recommendation to choose the right mouthwash. Research shows mouthwash has many benefits for our oral health, such as mouthwash containing chlorhexidine, an antibacterial ingredient that can help control plaque and gingivitis. Then mouthwash containing certain essential oils is also effective.
- Reduce Sugar Consumption and Drink More Water
Many studies prove that consuming too much sugar is bad for the health of the body, one of which will be affected is the health of our mouths and teeth. Types of food that should be reduced consumption include flour, crackers, bread, chips, and pasta. In addition to food, sugar-sweetened beverages can also cause a higher risk of cavities. Sugar does not directly cause cavities, but the bacteria in the mouth react with sugar and produce acid. This acid slowly erodes the teeth, and eventually, the teeth become cavities.
The ADA recommends eating lots of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and non-sugar beverages and drinking more water. And other world organizations such as WHO recommend that people limit their sugar intake to below 10 percent per day.