The mouth is a crucial part of our body as it is responsible for several functions, like eating, breathing, and communicating. Thus it must be cared for to prevent oral and dental problems.
There are things that we should and should not do when looking after our oral and dental health. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts. If you are looking for the best dental treatment prefer an experienced dentist Harley Street.
Dos
The following are the things you should do when doing oral and dental care.
Do: See a Dentist
When was your last visit to your dentist? Have you ever had an appointment with one? Some may think they don’t need a dentist, but having an appointment with one is necessary to help peer into your oral and dental health and what you can do in case of health-related problems.
People go to the dentist for several reasons; however, only some regularly go to the dentist, and only some have been to one. For example, only 63% of U.S. adults visited a dentist in 2020, 35.5% of U.K. adults have been to the dentist from 24 months leading to December 2021, while a survey conducted in Australia shows that 68% of adults have not been to the dentist for the past two years.
While going to the dentist may feel unnecessary and can cost a lot, a visit can teach you a lot about how your oral and dental health is doing, how to maintain healthy teeth and gums, as well as how to detect if there is something wrong and how to treat it.
There is, of course, more to seeing a dentist than just checkups and treatments. Dental clinics offer an array of options that can help enhance your dental and oral health and even features. You can visit this site right here to learn more about these other dental procedures.
Do: Brush and Floss Regularly
This is perhaps the first thing we are taught to maintain good oral care. Brushing teeth and flossing is the simplest way to maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums. It removes food stuck in your teeth, germs, and even foul odor.
Not brushing your teeth can lead to risks such as the buildup of plaque and gum disease, both of which can lead to a terrible infection. Brushing and flossing 2-3 times a day to keep teeth clean and rid them of germs is essential.
Do: Clean Oral Apparatus
If you use any dental apparatus, you must regularly maintain it. It can be something that helps your teeth, like braces, or regularly put in the mouth, like pacifiers in babies or dentures in people missing teeth. Regardless, these have to be regularly taken care of, and it has to be cleaned right before it enters the mouth.
Do: Consume the Appropriate Foods
Eating the right foods can immensely help with your dental health. Healthy foods are, of course, the best option for you. However, there are exceptional cases where you need to eat certain foods, like when you have been through dental treatment.
For example, people who wear braces need to eat softer foods, avoid solid foods to lessen pain, and avoid food sticking to the apparatus, teeth, and gums.
Don’ts
Here’s what to avoid when looking after your oral and dental care.
Don’t: Consume too Many Sweets
There’s nothing terrible about having a sweet or two, but too many sweets are to be avoided to protect your teeth and gums.
Too much sugar-rich foods contribute to the buildup of plaque, which can lead to cavities and toothache. While you do not have to stop eating sugar, you can at least reduce your sugar intake.
Don’t: Smoke
Smoking is actively discouraged by the health industry, and rightfully so. Too much smoking harms your body in different ways and can also affect your oral health. It can lead to problems like gum disease and even oral cancer. 40% of smoking adults aged 20-64 are said to have untreated tooth decay.
There are several ways to help people stop smoking. If you or someone you know has any untreated complications from smoking, it is best to seek a healthcare provider immediately.
Don’t: Brush Your Teeth Immediately After Eating
One topic that could divide people is when you should brush your teeth. Do you brush before or after eating? Whichever you prefer, both preferences are acceptable and valid. However, if you prefer brushing after eating, you should not be brushing immediately.
If you want to brush your teeth after eating, you must wait for at least 30-60 minutes before doing so. This would protect your enamel, especially if your meal contained acidic foods.
Don’t: Ignore Consistent Pains and Aches in Your Mouth
If you have been worrying or are currently experiencing pain in your mouth, like pains in your teeth and gums that have been there for a while, do not ignore it. Do not hesitate to approach your physician or dentist, especially if you have never experienced such pain.
To Sum it Up
There are many ways to help make your teeth clean, almost germ-free, and healthy. If you want to know more about what you can do to maintain and improve your oral health, it is best to approach a dentist or a healthcare provider for more insight and options.