Good Oral Health for Busy Lives
It’s important and necessary to fit caring for your teeth and gums into an already crowded diary instead of putting it on the backburner, an easy temptation when there’s so much to do. After all, we manage to find the time to get our cars serviced and our hair styled so why not care for our teeth, which is arguably far more important than many other activities we undertake.
We are experiencing an ever-increasing sense of being busy! Time is such a crucial commodity and unfortunately adequate dental care is often being neglected due to lack of time. Foundational effective oral hygiene is also often being abandoned, including correct daily brushing and flossing habits leading to a raised incidence of poor oral health that could have been avoided. A recent survey commissioned by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) revealed that only 51% of Australians brush twice-a-day, only 17% floss regularly, and only 35% visit their dentist at the recommended frequency.
Australian health statistics show that 90% of all dental disease is preventable, yet dental decay is a significant and costly health issue amongst adults and children. Research also suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems.
Dental Care Professionals 7 quick Oral Health Tips for busy lives:
Oral Health Tip 1: 2 minutes minimum
To gain the maximum benefit from brushing, you should brush for at least two minutes morning and night, using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and a flexible neck. The advantage of these toothbrushes is that they remove the plaque and debris from your teeth without damaging your teeth and gums.
Oral Health Tip 2: Watch your technique
You should clean your teeth systematically, starting at the back of your mouth with the toothbrush bristle at the gum line on a 45° angle, brushing gently in a circular motion. If you scrub too hard from side to side, you can run the risk of causing your gums to recede, as well as damaging the tooth enamel. You should take care to brush carefully along the inner, outer and chewing surfaces, making sure you tip the toothbrush so you can reach the inner front areas of the teeth, which are often missed.
Oral Health Tip 3: Remember your tongue
While it may seem strange at first to brush your tongue, doing so actually reduces the bacteria in your mouth and helps your breath stay fresh. All you need to do is push the bristles on the tongue and scrape gently forward.
When you have finished brushing, try to spit out the toothpaste and don’t rinse with water. Leaving some toothpaste on your teeth is a great way to give your teeth some extra ongoing protection.
Oral Health Tip 4: Choose the right brush
If limited dexterity is an issue, you might consider using a powered toothbrush. They can be programmed to run for two minutes, making keeping to the correct length of brushing time easy. If you’re not sure which type of toothbrush will work for you or your family, check with your dentist.
Oral Health Tip 5: Don’t forget to floss
If you aren’t already doing so, flossing at least once a day is recommended. Floss is able to get into the space between the teeth and gums, removing much of the food and plaque that a toothbrush can’t. Try carrying a floss travel pack in your hand bag or wallet, or leave at work for easy access.
Oral Health Tip 6: Limit in-between snacking
Snacking in between meals can increase the rate of tooth decay by increasing acid production.
Oral Health Tip 7: Take the pressure down
Tempting as it is to think that pressing harder on your teeth equals a better clean, the fact is that too much pressure can damage your gums and tooth enamel. If the bristles are wearing out on your toothbrushes well before the three-month mark, you’re pressing too hard and you should ask your dentist to show you a less damaging technique. It’s also a good idea to replace your brush, whether manual or powered, when either the bristles start to spread apart, or every three months, whichever comes first.
At Dental Care Professionals, we are committed to keeping your smile healthy, the team are happy to answer any questions and provide useful advice for maintaining optimal oral health for the long term.
Have you had your regular check- up? Book in now, call 8232 3280 or book online.
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