Oral Hygiene : A Key to Better Hygiene - 3

Getting rid of bad habits is as important as forming good ones. From poor diet and smoking to betel nut chewing, we expose our mouth to a fair bit of harm. Here are the more common aspects of daily living that we should avoid.

Smoking

• Make the decision to quit smoking! Tobacco slows the healing process after dental procedures like a tooth extraction.
• Tobacco use causes bad breath, and stains your teeth and tongue.
• Tobacco, chewed or inhaled, exposes the mouth to chemicals that can cause gum disease and oral cancer.

Poor eating habits

• Choose a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products, to strengthen teeth and gums.
• Avoid foods with a high sugar content, especially sticky ones, eg, gula melaka, because sugar creates an acidic environment which promotes bacterial growth in the mouth. This causes bad breath, tooth decay and gum infection.
• Avoid snacking between meals because such foods are rarely mouth healthy! If you must have a bite, chew sugarless gum immediately after. This produces more saliva in the mouth, which washes out food and neutralises the acid that causes tooth decay.
• Never snack before bedtime, because reduced saliva production while you sleep cannot clear food particles left in the mouth. This increases the risk of tooth decay.

Keep Your Dental appointments

Much as we dread them, dental check-ups are important if you want to keep that sparkling smile. A trip twice a year is recommended for cleaning and examinations for tooth decay, gum disease and other health problems. And here's why you should keep that appointment :

• Prevents tooth decay
• Prevents gum disease
• Shorten your dental check-ups, which makes each trip more pleasant
• Saves your money by avoiding costly dental procedures
• Keeps teeth free of food, drink and tobacco staining
• Improves overall health
• Increases the possibility of your teeth lasting a lifetime

Seek immediate dental attention if you notice the following changes in your mouth :

• Red, tender or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Gums that begin pulling away from teeth
• Loose teeth
• Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth align with each other
• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold

You dedication to oral hygiene will ensure both your oral and overall health.

Cheers..