A lot of care goes into maintaining a perfect set of pearly whites. Oral health, apart from having a direct connection to your appearance and self-esteem, is a vital determinant of your overall health.
It is directly linked to gum disease and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. The slightest discrepancy in your oral health can cause significant discomfort and a decline in your overall quality of life.
According to the report Oral Health in America, the productivity losses in 2015 were estimated to be $45.9 billion, with 2.43 million emergency visits for atraumatic dental conditions.
The CDC reported that 47% of adults in the U.S. suffer from periodontal disease. These diseases are linked to diet, hygiene habits, and genetics. Maintaining a healthy oral care regime is vital to prolong dental health.
So, here are a few oral health tips everyone must know and follow:
1- Visit the dentist regularly
1 in 5 low-income adults in America reported never visiting a dentist within five years or more. More than half of American children do not receive regular dental care because of socioeconomic and geographical issues.
In Connecticut, 27.3% of kindergarten children under 9 and 40.6% of third-grade students have experienced tooth decay.
Many people put off seeking dental care due to treatment costs, dental insurance, or issues with finding a good provider. 6% of the population of Waterford are 12 graders or below, a population susceptible to dental caries, malocclusion, or periodontitis.
There are many Family-friendly orthodontics in Waterford offering free consultations and affordable treatment options.
As the famous proverb goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! If left untreated, oral diseases like dental caries, periodontitis, and tumors can progress to jaw pain, abscess, tooth loss, and aggressive cancers.
So, getting a dental health checkup once every six months is advised to address problems in the pre-pathogenesis stage.
2- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Plaque and tartar buildup is one of the causative factors in dental caries and periodontitis. Brushing your teeth twice daily can prevent this excessive buildup. Brushing is usually considered unimportant in children because they have deciduous teeth expected to fall out later.
But dentists recommend that parents clean their child’s teeth when their first set appears. This is because early childhood dental caries can affect the eruption of the permanent teeth. Brushing their teeth without toothpaste is unnecessary. Water and a soft-bristled toothbrush are enough.
Adults should know the proper brushing technique and demonstrate it to their children because an improper brushing technique can cause more damage than good. Start brushing from the upper right quadrant and clean the unreachable areas first by focusing on the molars.
Use horizontal strokes with the brush head at a 45-degree angle against the gum line to dislodge food particles.
The American Dental Association recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Choose your dental care products carefully. To ensure they are free from harmful chemicals, opt for the ones with the ADA seal of acceptance.
3- Flouride shields against tooth decay
Flouride is a specific preventative measure proven to protect dental enamel. To prevent dental caries, Fluoride is added to drinking water at a concentration of 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million. The latest survey in Connecticut showed that 89.5% of the population has access to fluoridated water.
Dentists recommend opting for toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain fluoride because of its proven benefits to dental health.
Toothpaste should have a fluoride concentration of 1000 ppm for children under three—3500 to 1500 ppm for three years and above.
4- Be mindful of your dietary habits
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall well-being, and your diet is crucial in maintaining both. Snacking between meals or eating sweets after meals reduces the pH of your mouth, which causes erosion of dental enamel.
Snacking disrupts the normal demineralization and remineralization process. It lowers the pH of the mouth below 5.5, tipping the balance towards demineralization, which quickens the erosion process of dental enamel.
A pH below 5.5 is dangerous to your dental enamel. Additionally, children love to snack on processed sweets and chocolates. Study shows that consuming sugars more than four times a day, 60g/person/day in adults and 30 g/person/day for preschool children, causes an increased risk of dental caries.
The sugar content of processed foods and sweets reacts with the bacteria in your mouth, producing unhealthy acids that erode dental enamel. If you have consumed fruit juices or sweets during mealtime, wait one hour before brushing your teeth.
To sum it up, having a balanced diet containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals will not only keep systemic issues like diabetes and obesity at bay, but your teeth will also thank you for your wise choices.
5- Floss every night before bed
A significant amount of food particles are stuck between your teeth and are unreachable by the bristles of your toothbrush. What’s worse is that these food particles cause decay in your teeth, especially the molars, and cause cavities that aren’t easily detectable.
Bacterial activity in the hidden crevices of your teeth that don’t get cleaned so often causes bad breath or halitosis. According to the National Institute of Dental Research, 65 million Americans suffer from halitosis.
Poor diet and hyposalivation further exacerbate this condition. Concomitantly, halitosis could also point toward metabolic diseases. According to Medscape, a study on patients suffering from halitosis reported having fresher breath after religiously sticking to a flossing routine.
The dentists in Harrisburg NC recommend using an interdental brush if dental floss is not for you.
6- Limit the use of tobacco products and quit smoking
There are innumerable health issues linked to the consumption of cigarettes and tobacco. Other than systemic diseases, oral cancer, gum disease, tooth loss, and stained teeth are also associated with smoking.
Countless counseling services are available to provide you with the necessary assistance to quit smoking. But your ability to quit these habits ultimately relies on your self-determination.
According to the CDC, 40% of adults who smoke in the age range of 20- 65 suffer from untreated tooth decay. It quickly progresses to tooth loss, with 43% of adults aged 65 or older losing all their teeth.
To conclude
It is wise to follow a solid healthcare regimen to prevent diseases associated with oral hygiene, which can often lead to debilitating outcomes, requiring expensive treatment.
A sign of good oral health is when your teeth perform their function without causing any pain or discomfort. Your teeth and gums should look healthy, with your breath smelling fresh.
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