Three tips for good oral hygiene
It is estimated that half of people in the US will make a New Year’s resolution. Diets, smoking and general fitness top the most common resolutions, but oral health charity the British Dental Health Foundation believes teeth should be a priority.
People who make a resolution to adopt a good oral health routine in 2016 will benefit from more than just improved oral health. Adopting good oral health can contribute to avoiding potentially serious health conditions such as diabetes, strokes and heart disease.
Research shows that only one in two people are happy with their teeth, with tooth loss and stained or yellow teeth of concern to many.
Healthy smiles are also important to many other facets of life. Having the confidence to smile shapes our image and is hugely important to relationships. When it comes to attraction, surveys have shown that a smile is even more important than the face, eyes, dress sense, body shape, hair and height.
To help you get the New Year off on the right foot, here are three top tips for looking after your teeth in 2016.
1. Don’t rinse after brushing
“So many people rinse their mouth out with water or a mouthwash after they have brushed their teeth”, according to Dental Advisor Karen Coates. “Doing this means you won’t get the benefit of the fluoride in toothpaste or the mouthwash. We advise people to spit not rinse. If you do want to use a mouthwash, use it at a different time of day, perhaps lunchtime.”
2. Know the links
“You may not think it, but oral health has been linked to a number of life-threatening illnesses“, Louise Chidlow said. “Pneumonia, heart and circulations problems, pregnancy complications, male sexual health problems. All of these have been linked to poor levels of oral health. Next time you skip brushing your teeth, think about the problems you could encounter.”
3. Size matters
Dental Advisor Yvonne Lee added: “Make sure your toothbrush is the correct size for your mouth and the filaments are soft/medium. Cheaper toothbrushes may have filaments that are of poor quality so may not as effective as branded versions. If you can buy the best toothbrush you can afford and change it on a regular basis, preferably every three months.”
Read the full article at: DentalHealth.org
