Did you know that there is a direct correlation between your oral health and your overall health? It shouldn’t be all that surprising, given that what you eat and drink has an impact on your health and you use your mouth to eat. Whilst it can’t necessarily be said that having poor oral health or bad teeth means that you will suffer from poor overall health, it is known that people who have poor oral health tend to also experience other health-related problems, and one of those problems is poor nutrition.
If you’ve ever suffered from a sore tooth, gums, or sores in your mouth, you know just how miserable it can be to try to eat. If you’re not eating well because of poor oral health, you may be suffering from malnutrition, so it makes sense that you should be concerned with oral hygiene as part of maintaining a healthy diet.
Oral Hygiene Habits Fundamental to Health
Your oral health and hygiene are integral to your general health and your general health should be considered a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, many third world and underdeveloped countries suffer from a combination of the high risk of oral disease and low access to dental care, and these two factors can lead to disproportionately high mortality rates, particularly in children.
Some third world countries are fortunate in their state of development and while patients have access to a French Dental Clinic in Dubai or a Master Physician of Internal Medicine in Singapore, not everyone in those respective states can afford quality dental or health care. Whichever the case, be it a lack of availability due to low supply of care or lack of access due to the high cost of care, it’s important to practice fundamental habits that reduce the risk of oral health problems.
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Clean
You should already know that it’s important to keep your teeth clean and that brushing your teeth after meals or before bedtime is good for you, but there’s more to it than simply brushing twice per day. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth 30 to 45 minutes after meals can help reduce the risk of plaque and the potential for damage to your enamel caused by the high acid content in saliva immediately after eating.
You should also take the time each day to floss the tight spaces between your teeth that toothbrush bristles can’t effectively reach and clean. Flossing is important and time-consuming, so you may want to set aside 30 minutes or so each day before your final brushing for the night.
Always Rinse or Chew Gum When You Can’t Brush
Rinsing with water or mouthwash regularly is a good way to loosen food particles that stick to and between your teeth and flush them out of your mouth. Talk to your dentist about the best mouthwash for you. Sometimes it’s not practical to brush your teeth after each meal, so keep a supply of chewing gum on hand to help clean your teeth when the situation doesn’t allow for brushing. As with mouthwash, check with your dental care provider for recommendations on which gum to use. These habits are guaranteed to help keep your teeth and gums healthy, but remember that there is no substitute for regular check-ups and dental care, so be sure to follow a plan that both you and your dentist agree on.
