PUBLISHED ON 30/05/23
A common misconception is that our teeth are naturally strong, especially if we drink a lot of milk. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that’s not true. The strength of our teeth, and our overall dental health, come down to our oral habits.
Developing strong, healthy oral habits within our families is an essential part of keeping the ones we love safe and healthy. But, more importantly, children whose parents helped them create healthy habits in childhood are more likely to maintain them throughout adulthood.
But why do they need to be healthy? Another misconception is that the worst thing that can happen if we have unhealthy teeth and gums is that our teeth fall out. Although that is a possibility, there are other drawbacks. The truth is that poor oral health is linked to severe diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Follow our five simple healthy habits to help keep your and your family’s teeth and gums strong and healthy throughout their lifetime.
We’re sure by now that everyone knows that to keep cavities at bay, we need to brush our teeth twice a day. But do we know what to brush with and how?
We recommend that you brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damaging your enamel and creating sensitive teeth. Your toothbrush needs to be replaced at least once every three to four months, when the bristles become frayed, or after an illness, to avoid reinfection. Whether the toothbrush is a manual or an electric toothbrush is up to you. Regarding toothpaste, it’s recommended that you pick one with fluoride. Children under 6 years old need to use an age appropriate fluoride containing toothpaste.
When it comes to how to brush, you must brush your teeth for at least two minutes every time. Brush around every tooth, and don’t forget to clean your tongue. You can brush your tongue with your toothbrush and some water to remove food debris and bacteria and help reduce bad breath. Finally, don’t brush within 30 minutes after eating to give your teeth time to remineralise and prevent damage.
For a more in-depth guide on brushing your teeth, watch our video. We’ll go through all the brushing techniques, as well as explain why they’re important.
It seems to us that flossing is the bane of everyone’s existence. It’s the step that everyone either forgets, ignores, or lies to us about. However, flossing is essential for removing the gunk that lives in the cracks and crevices of our mouth that our toothbrush can’t get. Therefore, we need to be flossing at least once a day, preferably before bed. You can even floss before brushing to free anything lodged between your teeth before being removed by the toothbrush. Alternatively, if you choose to floss after brushing your teeth, rinse out your mouth with water afterwards.
For the who, what, and hows of flossing, check-out our video.
What we eat doesn’t just affect our overall health; it can also damage our teeth. Poor diets can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, stains and discolouration, enamel loss, cavities and more. To maintain healthy gums and teeth, we need to maintain a healthy diet. Essentially what this means is we need to have a balanced diet. You need to ensure that the whole family is consuming their fruits, veggies, and proteins. Or ‘eating the rainbow’. Make sure that each plate is at least half vegetables and a quarter protein and that everyone is eating a colourful variety of foods every day. More importantly, although a complete sugar and alcohol ban isn’t necessary, you do need to ensure everyone in the family limits their intake.
There’s a reason all roads lead to water; it’s the elixir of life. Water can help prevent cavities and gum disease as it washes away the germs, bacteria and food debris in our mouths. Meaning it keeps your mouth clean. Water also helps dilute teeth enamel-eroding acids from plaque, food and beverages. So, although it’s crucial to drink water throughout the day, it’s particularly important to have a glass of water after eating or drinking sugary drinks (including alcohol).
Get your family hydrated with water – their smiles will thank them.
Many people believe that if they aren’t experiencing any pain from their teeth or gums, they don’t need to visit the dentist. But that’s not the case. Instead, everyone in your family needs to make sure that they see the dentist for a general check-up at least once every six months. Dental check-ups allow oral health care professionals to access the health of your teeth, as well as identify any potential issues before they become dental emergencies. It would also give them a chance to discuss your dental habits and any concerns and questions that you may have.
Moreover, when it comes to dental check-ups for your family, this includes your toddlers. In fact, once your child’s first tooth appears, you should start scheduling regular appointments with the dentist. During these check-ups, our dentists can monitor how your child’s teeth are coming in, for both baby teeth and adult teeth, identify issues – such as cavities – and help reduce the need for teeth-straightening later in life. Regular visits from a young age will also reduce the chance of your child developing dentophobia – a fear of the dentist.
But what if you can’t afford the dentist so often? For the most part, a simple dental exam without any cleaning or treatment is quite affordable. However, if you or your family are experiencing financial hardship, please know that you still have many options, such as government subsidisations and payment plans. For more information on your options, give us a call. We’d be happy to walk you through and help you and your family book their appointments.
With these healthy habits, you and your family
will be smiling through to their golden years. If you have any more questions regarding healthy dental practices or anything dental-related at all, are due for your regular check-up, or would like to make an appointment with the dentist, contact us today.