Optimising Oral Health – Protect Your Smile
Oral health is often overlooked. Many of us tend to focus on eating well and exercising when we talk about health, but did you know that your dental health can have a major bearing on your general wellbeing? In this short guide, we’ll run through some simple tips to help you with ‘optimising oral health’ – to protect your smile.
Optimising Oral Health – Establish a Good Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
The most important rule to follow when embarking upon a mission to boost your oral health is to establish a good daily hygiene routine. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes twice a day and floss or use interdental brushes to clean between the teeth daily. Cover every individual tooth with your brush and take care to brush gently. If you brush too hard, this could damage your enamel. Once you’ve finished cleaning your teeth, use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. This will help to reduce the risk of bad breath and plaque buildup.
Further Reading: 5 Common Myths About Dental Health You Should Know
Optimising Oral Health – Keep Up to Date with Dental Checkups
Dental checks are short assessments, which are designed to enable dentists to keep tabs on your oral health and spot any warning signs or abnormalities as early as possible. During a routine check-up, your dentist will work through a checklist, inspecting your teeth, tongue, lips and gums to make sure that everything is in order. If you have symptoms of decay or gum disease, for example, your dentist may recommend making another appointment for treatment. Dentists recommend checkups every 6-24 months depending on your oral health status.
Optimising Oral Health – Contact Your Dentist if you Notice Changes in Your Mouth
Dental health issues tend to get worse with time. Early intervention is usually the best course of action. While some oral issues are nothing to worry about, it is always best to get checked out. If you notice bleeding when you brush, your gums are swollen, you have severe tooth pain or you have mouth ulcers that don’t seem to be disappearing, for example, see your dentist.
Choosing the right dentist for you will be a personal journey. Check for recommendations, and word of mouth (no pun intended). And be sure to feel comfortable and confident in your choice. Don’t let symptoms go on, get researching, and secure your appointment to secure your smile! Whether it’s with the Top Dentist in Dublin or the Top Dentist in Dubai.
You can buy mouth ulcer treatment over the counter but in some cases, slow-healing sores can be a symptom of oral cancer. Dentists check for signs of oral cancer during routine appointments. If you spot any signs, such as swelling, lumps, a persistent sore throat or red or white patches in your mouth, don’t wait for your next scheduled check.
Further Reading: 3 Everyday Ways You Could Be Harming Your Teeth
Optimising Oral Health – Try to Avoid Snacking
Most of us are aware that what we eat has an impact on our oral health, but it’s also beneficial to consider your eating habits. When you eat is equally important. Try to avoid snacking between meals.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. When you do not remove plaque from your teeth every day, it builds up. Plaque bacteria use sugar to make acid that attacks enamel, the hard surface of the tooth. The acid can attack tooth enamel for up to 20 minutes after you consume sugary foods and drinks’
Oral health plays an integral role in general health and wellbeing. Follow these simple steps to protect and enhance your smile and lower the risk of dental disease.
Photos by Nati Melnychuk – CCO Licence
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