Don’t Lose That Smile!

Do you love to smile? Oh yes, I bet you do. Nothing brings confidence like smiling while revealing a clean set of well groomed teeth.

Oral health is essential to general health and well-being at every stage of life. A healthy mouth enables not only nutrition of the physical body, but also enhances social interaction and promotes self-esteem and feelings of well-being. The mouth serves as a “window” to the rest of the body, providing signals of general health disorders.


 Adequate dental care is of great importance because we are living in a “sugar culture”, where every food and snack is heavily burdened with lots of sugar.

Taking proper care of the mouth, rids one of plaques and prevents consequences like dental decay.

Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including where toothbrushes can't reach. Many of the foods you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are obvious sources of plaque because of the high ability to produce acids. 
  

Here's how to keep your mouth and teeth healthy:

Brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste (fluoride protects the teeth from decay). Clean between your teeth regularly with floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleaner

Snack smart - limit sugary snacks. Don't smoke or chew tobacco

Endeavour to replace your old brushes. Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective, they also harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Toothbrushes should be changed every three to four months.

Avoid excessive bleaching of the teeth. Overzealous bleaching can cause your teeth to look unnaturally white and increase tooth sensitivity. Some bleaching agents corrode the protective layer of the teeth exposing them to harm.

Avoid the use of hard brushes. A hard-bristled toothbrush coupled with an aggressive brushing technique can cause irreversible damage to your gums. Use a soft toothbrush and gently brush your teeth in a circular motion.

Using a back-and-forth, motion causes the gums to recede, and can expose the root of the tooth, making teeth extremely sensitive.

After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and store it in an upright position.

Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. Such conditions (a humid environment) are more conducive to bacterial growth than the open air.

Make regularly visits to your dentist or oral health professional.