NOVEMBER 5 IS NATIONAL ORAL HEALTH DAY

3 WAYS TO BE PROUD OF YOUR MOUTH

There was a time…

…when the solution to all your dental problems, and a neat way to save, theoretically, on future dental appointments and bills, was to have all your teeth removed and wear dentures instead. But this isn’t such a great an idea. Having your teeth in a glass on your bedside table isn’t very appealing. Sneeze too hard and your teeth may fall out. It’s been known to happen. Eat a toffee and your teeth stick together. Eat nuts and bits of nut end up between the denture and the roof of your mouth.

What could be better than your own beautiful teeth standing happily in a healthy jawbone. To enjoy the benefits of that, you need to practice good, oral hygiene.

There was a time …

…and in New Zealand it’s still the case, that COVID-19 put the world into lockdown. Seeing your dentist became almost impossible. Another good reason to practice great oral hygiene! No one really knows how long lockdown will last, and while you could spend all of lockdown ingesting more pain-killing paracetamol than food, it’s really not a good idea.

To avoid that, – and yes, we know we’re repeating ourselves, it’s important – it’s best to practice excellent oral hygiene.

DOES GOOD, OR EXCELLENT, ORAL HYGIENE REALLY HELP?

Dental problems and diseases can affect anyone with teeth of almost any age. Why? Because your mouth is the gateway for food and essential nutrients to make their way into your body. It’s also how germs and bacteria gain access. The result is tooth decay, gum disease, cavities and bad breath.  They all damage our overall health. There are a number of oral diseases which if ignored can be life-threatening.

Preventing these issues depends entirely on how well you look after your teeth.

The greatest enemies of your teeth are bad hygiene and dehydration. After a hard game of sport, or an energetic jog around the block, or if you’re needing a pick-me-up in the middle of the day the best option is water. Staying hydrated is the guardian your teeth needs against ‘dry mouth.’ A lack of hydration can lead to cavities, rapid tooth decay, and gum disease.

To send a clear message about the need for excellent oral health care, and to remind people that practicing it is vital, the World Dental Federation (FDI) introduced ‘Be Proud of your Mouth’ as the theme for Oral Health Week 2021 – 2023. Friday 5 November is NZ Oral Health Day.

3 WAYS TO BE PROUD OF YOUR MOUTH

• Have clean teeth – brush and floss after every meal. Yes, every meal.
• Have healthy teeth – stay away from sugar, drink lots of water – 6 to 8 glasses a day.
• Have clean, sweet smelling breath – visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for check-ups and deep-cleaning. Twice a year, at least.

During lockdown, if you have a dental emergency, check with your nearest Team Dental surgery about lockdown rules, visiting the dentist, and how they can assist.

Take a look here at the Team Dental Facebook page for more helpful information.