— Dr Ambereen Ali, Consultant Dentistry, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
World Oral Health day is celebrated each year on 20th March. Its purpose is to spread awareness and empower people with knowledge to secure good oral health.
It is a well-known that oral diseases not only affect the teeth and gums, but it is often linked to serious overall health issues.
Most oral diseases are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages.
Aim of this article is to enlighten people on how to achieve optimal oral health. The following are some good practices for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Brush at least twice a day for about 2 to 3 minutes, particularly after meals and before going to sleep.
Brush the right way i.e. in gentle circular motions.
Do not brush aggressively.
Use a toothbrush with a small head with soft or ultra-soft bristles. Soft toothbrushes will provide a safe and gentle action to remove trapped plaque and food. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
Automatic (Rotary) toothbrushes are also recommended.
Use fluoride-containing toothpaste. They are generally safe and recommended for both children and adults.
In addition to helping remove plaque, they help in preventing tooth decay by making tooth enamel strong.
Floss between teeth daily to remove food particles and plaque. It also helps to stimulate and lower gum inflammation.
Use 18 inches of floss, wind it around your middle fingers, leaving 1 to 2 inches on both sides. Secure the floss between your thumb and index finger and then gently slide it between your teeth. If you are having difficulty in flossing then switch to ready-to-use dental flossers from the drug store which can make a difference.
Rinse with mouthwash. They help decrease bacteria, freshen your breath, and reduce plaque.
A fluoridated mouthwash may even reduce cavities. Don’t ignore your tongue. Plaque and gunk build upon the tongue too, which can lead to a bad odor.
Your tongue has little grooves, which attracts bacteria and residue.
Gently use a tongue cleaner or scraper which is meant to scrape your tongue free of bacteria and build up.
Eat a balanced diet as it is essential for healthy teeth and gums. Eat fresh and crunchy food with more fiber content.
Avoid sugary and sticky foods which increase the risk of cavities.
Also, limit the consumption of acidic foods which may erode the enamel of your teeth.
Avoid stress and an unhealthy lifestyle, as it may result in developing harmful habits like smoking and increase alcohol intake, which in turn may lead to serious issues like oral cancer
Last but not the least, Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings every 6 months as timely action often prevents great loss or harm that would occur in future, as it is rightly said, ‘A stitch in time saves nine.