World Oral Health Day: 10 Dental Health Tips to Keep in Mind

Your mouth is the start of your body's digestive tract, so you must prioritize its care! A mouth with healthy teeth, strong and pink gums, odorless breath, and a tongue free of bacteria and sulfur deposits often reveal good oral hygiene. This, in turn, keeps you safe from dental conditions that may not only be painful but also result in a range of expenses. Dental health plays an integral part of your health as a whole because healthy teeth are a great asset. On this World Oral Health Day, know more about dental care.

Additionally, your teeth have a very important role to play throughout your life. Besides eating, they help you speak clearly and give your face its shape. They also frame your smile, giving you confidence which goes on to impact other areas of life. For all these reasons, it makes sense to prioritize your oral hygiene and health. One way to ensure that is to be part of the World Oral Health Day this year. Read on to learn more about its mission and relevance. 

The focus of World Oral Health Day

Observed on 20th March every year, World Oral Health Day aims to [1]:

• Make people aware of conditions that impact oral health
• Shed light on the importance of maintaining dental hygiene
• Promote the benefits of good oral hygiene practices

This campaign creates general awareness on how to take better care of your teeth. It contributes to the prevention of oral disease and different ways to stay healthy. To be part of the mission, be sure to try these ten oral hygiene tips and learn how to keep your teeth strong and healthy. 

Make brushing after meals a must-do

Brushing your teeth regularly leads to healthy teeth, especially if you use a toothpaste that contains baking soda (2). This has been proven to remove more plaque in general compared to other toothpaste. When brushing, remember to reach all corners of your mouth. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth not just in the morning and before bed but every time you eat. This helps dislodge any food particles. Since brushing well and often helps you beat bad breath and gum diseases as well as keeps your smile sparkly, make it a proper routine. 

Pick the right brush and learn how to use it.

Make a smart choice while selecting a toothbrush, as there are various options. Those with softer bristles often make for the best choice. You can also choose battery-powered models as these also help you clean your teeth with light, moderate pressure and don't harm your mouth. Using the brush in a punishing manner can chip away at the enamel and even expose the root of the teeth as the gum pull back from the surface. So, be gentle! Also, be aware of the bristle quality after use and change your toothbrush frequently every few months. This also helps you avoid using a toothbrush that has bacteria growing on it. 

Floss your teeth daily 

Flossing may not seem as important as brushing, but it helps tremendously. This small step is the only way to remove foods that get stuck between your teeth. Food that remains there turns into plaque. Dentists normally advise people to floss after eating. 

Clean your tongue regularly.

Bacteria also grow on your tongue and can cause health conditions like dehydration, fever, or sores if left unchecked. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue, and you'll be happy to know that doing this also gets you better breath! If you don't know how to use a scraper, learn it from your dentist to get it right. 

Use mouthwash to rinse your mouth frequently.

Your brushing routine can also feature minty-fresh oral rinses as they also help address bacterial growth and resist plaque. In just 30 seconds, you can give your mouth a fresh feel, but ensure you use one recommended by your dentist, which usually contains fluoride. An oral rinse is a good way to kill bacteria and improve your breath by reaching places your brush may not be able to, but remember, it cannot replace brushing or flossing! 

Decrease your daily caffeine consumption

A morning kickstart, coffee may be part of your wake-up routine. But the acidic content of coffee can chip away at your tooth enamel. This can expose you to more cavities and decay. So, be mindful of how much you drink. For aesthetic reasons, too, remember that coffee can make your teeth look yellow. 

Eat healthy and nutritious food.

Broccoli, carrots, and other vegetables that make a satisfying crunch keep your gums active and fight cavities. A nutritious diet is always a good health tip, not just for healthy teeth but a healthy body too. Apples and oranges, for instance, can improve your dental health. Eating one apple daily helps you clean your teeth and avoid cavities while satisfying your sweet tooth. [3]

Avoid smoking

Smoking causes a lot of stress on the body and lungs, apart from giving rise to certain cancers. It can also cause painful oral psoriasis, which causes inflammation in the mouth, cheek, and tongue. It also makes your breath smell unpleasant and discolors your teeth. Usually, those who smoke have:

• Teeth that are eroded and unhealthy 
• Damaged gums
• Complications during dental implant procedures [4]

Have sugar in moderation 

All dentists will state that sugar is bad for your teeth. Sugar has a direct link with tooth decay issues. Sugar molecules combine with saliva and bacteria to create plaque on your teeth. This can dissolve the enamel, causing cavities. 

Don't avoid your dentist appointment!

Visiting the dentist regularly is as important as getting health check-ups every once in a while. They can give you the right guidance on how to keep your teeth strong and how to get healthy teeth. What's more, getting regular teeth cleaning done can help you avoid cavities and losing teeth. This way, your doctor can alert you in case of any problems too. 

It is quite common for people to fear going to the dentist, but these medical specialists help you keep your teeth healthy. They advise you with dental facts and tips to help you maintain good oral hygiene. Like any other aspect of wellbeing, preventive care is crucial when it comes to your teeth. Get proper guidance regarding dental health tips with an online doctor consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health. Find specialists in your city and book appointments easily online.