Your mouth is an important part of your body, it allows you to speak to other people, eat, and even convey emotions. But, did you know that your oral health is directly linked to your overall health?
Research has shown that bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and cause infections in your body. Equally, plaque in your mouth can get into your blood vessels and then stick to the walls, causing narrowing of the arteries and a variety of cardiovascular issues.
That’s why it’s important to look after your mouth and keep it as healthy as possible.
- Regular Dental Visits
The first step is to make sure you see your dentist at least once a year, more often if your dentist tells you to. For children, this should start with a visit to a paediatric dentist Sydney as soon as they have their first teeth. Creating the habit is important as you and your family won’t develop a fear of the dentist, it’s simply something you do. This will help you to catch issues early and avoid serious problems.
- Brush & Floss Every Day
Brushing removes most of the plaque and debris that builds up on your teeth. Flossing does the same but for the areas between your teeth, that brushes struggle to reach. By doing this you reduce the likelihood of cavities. These are caused when sugar in the food you eat reacts with bacteria in your mouth and creates acid. The acid then slowly eats the enamel on your teeth, creating a hole. Eventually, bacteria can get into the hole and cause an infection which can, in extreme cases, lead to tooth loss.
Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time will help to prevent this from happening. You should avoid brushing too hard as this can damage the gums. It’s also best to use your toothbrush at a slightly upward angle, allowing you to get everything on the gumline.
- Stop Grinding
Grinding or clenching your teeth increases the likelihood of the enamel coating being damaged. This leads to the problems mentioned above. To help prevent this from being an issue you need to consciously think about your teeth and, if you’re grinding or clenching, stop yourself.
If this is something you do at night then you may want to invest in a mouthguard as this will prevent you from damaging your teeth.
- Amend Your Diet
As mentioned, sugar reacts with bacteria in your mouth. It’s virtually impossible to eliminate sugar from your diet as it is in almost every food you eat. However, you can look to limit your intake of refined starches and any other foods that stick to the roof of your mouth and your teeth.
Doing this will reduce the intensity of attacks on your teeth and help your mouth stay healthy. That means you’ll have a greater chance of keeping your own teeth into old age.
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