World Oral Health Day takes place every year on March 20th. The aim of the day is to educate and empower people around the globe about their oral health. For the next three years the theme of the day will be, “Be proud of your mouth”. There are many ways that we can be proud of our mouths but we feel the most important step, is to have a good oral hygiene routine.
A healthy mouth not only allows you to speak, smile, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions with confidence, but it also has a positive impact on your general health, wellbeing and quality of life. Below are some tips we have put together, that will help you create and maintain good oral health.
-
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, using a fluoride toothpaste. We would recommend changing the head of your electric toothbrush every 3 months or immediately after you have been ill.
-
Floss or use interdental brushes as part of your daily routine. Your dental hygienist will be able to recommend what size and type, suit your teeth. Never reuse floss and it’s important to regularly change your interdental brushes after a few uses.
-
Diet plays an important role in our oral health. We recommend a well-balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in fruit and vegetables. Even dentists understand that we all like a treat from time to time but it is important not to expose our teeth to sugar throughout the day as this increases the risks of developing tooth decay.
-
Drink the recommended daily intake of water and favour it as the drink that accompanies your meals. Overconsumption of sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay.
-
Tobacco in any form, smoking or smokeless is unsafe. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque, increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. You can find more information, help and support on how to quit smoking here.
