Taking care of teeth is very crucial as it acts as an indicator of your general health. Dental health needs to be given importance right from childhood as healthy gums and dental hygiene helps to lay a foundation for dental health through adult life as well. Dental health is the general term used to understand the health of your mouth. Teeth, gums, and tongue play an important role in dental health. Practicing good dental hygiene practices can help prevent many common dental problems.
Dental health is considered as a reflection of the general health of a person. Diseases affecting oral health can be seen as deficiencies present in the body. Signs and symptoms such as ulcers or sores can be one of the first indicators of diseases affecting the body. Sores, pain in the teeth etc. are usually brushed away as insignificant, but it is important that you consult and seek treatment from a dentist. Some of these harmless symptoms may even be indicators of diseases like oral cancer. Treating symptoms as soon as they appear is usually recommended lest they develop into major dental diseases.
Following are some simple steps that you can follow to keep your teeth healthy.
1. Starting healthy practices right from childhood
It is important that healthy dental practices are followed right from childhood as this will help children get a good start in dental hygiene. Habits learned in childhood go a long way in developing overall dental health. Kids who have knowledge of which foods to eat, what practices are helpful in obtaining good dental health etc. tend to continue these habits well into their adult life as well. If you have children, it is important to inculcate in them the value of good dental habits.
2. Brushing teeth twice a day
Brushing teeth is very important, it is also important that you brush teeth twice a day. Food particles can get lodged between teeth and stay there if you do not brush your teeth properly. Brush gently, making sure that the spaces between teeth are brushed and food particles are removed. Cleaning of tongue is also important as it is often harbours bacteria. Particles that stick between teeth aid in plaque formation.
3. Flossing teeth
Brushing alone does not clean teeth, the minute spaces between must be cleaned further using floss. For children, parents can guide them on how to floss properly. To make sure you do not forget flossing, do it regularly when you brush at night. This practice will help clean your mouth thoroughly after dinner. This will also help stop your midnight snacking habit.
4. Using proper fluoride and mouthwash
Brushing teeth is very important, but you should also remember that for maintaining good dental health, proper toothpaste and mouthwash must be used. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel so proper care should be taken in choosing a toothpaste with fluoride. Also choose a good mouthwash. There are a lot of products available in the market. If you are not sure what to buy, check with your dentist and follow their recommendation.
5. Using the correct toothbrush
It is not enough that you brush your teeth twice a day, you must also use a proper brush for proper results. Brushing should not be done with too much pressure because it can harm the enamel. Brushes need to be changed twice or thrice in a year. Brushes with soft bristles will help reduce the pressure on the enamel during brushing.
6. Drinking water
Water is important in maintaining not only general health, but the health of your teeth as well. Water helps wash down food particles that are stuck between teeth thus helping clear plaque formation. Water is always a better choice than drinking soda or sugary drinks.
7. Avoiding sugary food
Food that is high in sugar contributes to creating plaque in your teeth. Sugary food tend to stick to teeth if it is not cleaned properly. Sugary food will eat away the enamel of your teeth and erode it, this can also lead to cavities developing in the teeth. Children need to be taught the effects of having too much sugary food and drinks so they can choose healthy habits. Educating children on effects on the food they eat on their health will help them to make wise decisions.
8. Smoking/Alcohol
Not just food habits, smoking and drinking alcohol also affects dental health. Smoking leads to staining of teeth and can lead to teeth losing its colour and lustre. Smoking can also help to fasten teeth decay. Similar to smoking, drinking alcohol can also affect dental health. Alcohol is known to have a negative effect on the health of gums. Some alcoholic drinks like beer stain the teeth as they have an acidic quality in them.
9. Consultation with dentist
To have good dental health, consultation with dentist is a necessary task that cannot be ignored. Experienced dentists will be able to guide you by giving proper advice on maintaining good dental health. Make an appointment with the dentist at least twice a year, so you can know the condition of your teeth and what steps you need to take to prevent dental problems. Maintaining good oral health and making sure that teeth are not lost due to dental problems is important and this is what regular consultation with dentist help people with.
10. Consuming vitamins
Vitamins play a vital role in maintaining dental health, this is true especially in the case of Vitamin C and D. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, this will be absorbed by the body and help to boost dental health. Vitamin C can be obtained from different citrus foods. For proper guidance do consult with dentist, they can give you practical tips on how to incorporate them in your daily diet.