Dental health tips

MOST often taken for granted especially by a substantial number of Filipinos, good oral health is important as it affects one’s general wealth as well. For some, it also adds to one’s good looks but for others it pays to have good dental health habits primarily because everything that we put inside our body always pass through our mouth.

Did you know that brushing alone only cleans 25 percent of your mouth? So for a whole mouth clean, Listerine advises us to follow a complete daily oral care routine: brush, floss and rinse. Flossing and rinsing with an oral antiseptic every time you brush help you reach nearly 100 percent of your mouth and get you rid of the germs that cause plaque and gingivitis.

Here are a few simple things you can do to get a healthier mouth:

On brushing:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don’t rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.

Use the proper equipment. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.

Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.

Keep your equipment clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air dry until you use it again. Don’t routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.

Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months—or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

On flossing:

You can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth or under your gum line with a toothbrush. That’s why daily flossing is important. When you floss:

Don’t skimp. Break off about 18 inches (46 centimeters) of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand-leaving about 1 inch (3 centimeters) to floss your first tooth.

Take it one tooth at a time. Use your thumbs and forefingers to gently pull the floss from the gum line to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque. Rub the floss against all sides of the tooth. Unwind to fresh floss as you progress to the next tooth.

Keep it up. If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, try the waxed variety. If it’s hard to manipulate the floss, use a floss holder or an interdental cleaner—such as a dental pick or stick designed to clean between the teeth.

On rinsing:

There are different brands with different active ingredients available in the market today. Mouth rinsing has evolved from simply wanting to keep your breath fresh to keeping your mouth healthy. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse with essential oils to help reach areas in your mouth that brushing and flossing may miss. Go with the brand that is trusted worldwide for more than 100 years and has clinical studies to prove its efficacy.

Keep your bottle of Listerine Antiseptic in a visible spot in the bathroom so you don’t forget to rinse. Rinsing with Listerine twice a day was shown in a clinical study to help reduce 52 percent more plaque and 21 percent more gingivitis than brushing and flossing alone. That’s important when you consider that majority of adults get gingivitis in their lives—and don’t even know it.

On diet to promote a healthier body:

Sound nutritional habits also play a vital role in good oral hygiene -

Limit foods that are high in sugar. If you do give in to your sweet tooth, eat sugary foods with meals. Your mouth produces more saliva during meals, which helps neutralize acid production and rinses food particles from your mouth.

Limit between-meal snacks. You know the ones. They call you to the vending machine. If you indulge, chew sugarless gum afterward. It increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and acid that causes tooth decay.

Exercise regularly, in addition to maintaining a healthy oral care routine. Listerine Antiseptic can help keep your mouth fit. Squeeze in workouts when you can to keep your body fit, too.

Eat a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. Avoiding sugary foods isn’t just good for your teeth, it’s good for your health.

Many of the foods that help one’s body to build strong muscles and bones also help build strong, healthy teeth and gums.

Dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D for strengthening teeth and bones. Breads and cereals supply B vitamins for growth and iron for healthy blood, which in turn contributes to healthy gum tissue. Fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C (among other important vitamins) are essential to maintaining healthy gums.

Lean meat, fish, poultry and beans provide iron and protein for overall good health, and magnesium and zinc for teeth and bones. On the other hand, smoking is also harmful to oral health so dentists usually advise patients to cease from smoking

On visiting your dentist regularly:

Of course: Visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams. Your dentist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. During your cleaning, your dentist will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and brighter smile!

The more you go, the healthier your mouth will be—and those visits will seem less daunting. With dental cleaning, caries build up is prevented. Your dentist will be able to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums. Early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease are easily treatable. If these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth could become the only treatment options available.

Your dentist will help to ensure that you are maintaining your good oral health by visual examination and comparing your previous dental check-ups. If you are falling off track with your oral hygiene, he will help put you back on the right path.

Healthy mouth, healthy body

Good oral hygiene is really important. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, and more.

Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone, and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow.

Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease resulting from poor oral hygiene. A dental cleaning every six months helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and could possibly reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes.

Brush, floss, and rinse with Listerine. Taking just a few minutes to care for your mouth each day can help you establish healthy habits for a lifetime. Sources: American Dental Association website, www.mayoclinic.com, www.about.com