Going beyond straight, white teeth: good oral health is only a few easy steps away
First article in our four-part series covers the basics of oral hygiene and the importance of healthy teeth and gums.
Learn about good oral hygiene with these handy tips! Photo: HandoutThis article is the first of a four-part series to keep you informed of the different aspects of oral health. In the coming weeks, we will publish articles that will help you further deepen your understanding of oral health, dental fillings, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and the importance of regular visits to the dentist. Stay tuned!
Our adult teeth are supposed to stay with us throughout our entire life journey. Healthy teeth are an integral part of our overall well-being.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around two billion people worldwide deal with cavities – tooth decay and crumbling – in their permanent adult teeth, and 514 million kids have cavities in their baby teeth. Urbanisation and changing lifestyles are making these oral health issues more common globally.
Straight, well-aligned teeth allow for easy access to the areas between each tooth, which helps minimise the room for bacterial growth that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. However, having healthy teeth is more than just having straight pearly whites.
Readers share the most unusual tips they’ve heard for taking care of their teeth
Our mouth is the gateway to our body. Good oral health, including healthy teeth, healthy pink gums, fresh breath, and a healthy-looking tongue, is closely linked to our general well-being. With good oral health, we can enjoy life. We can speak clearly, taste, chew and swallow delicious and nutritious foods, and express our feelings with our smiles.
Ignoring or neglecting oral health can lead to serious dental problems like gum disease or periodontitis, tooth decay, pain and discomfort in the teeth or gums, infections, and even tooth loss. Bad breath can be embarrassing and affect our social lives.
It’s never too late to check the current status of your teeth – whether they’re healthy or not – and your risk of developing dental problems. Professional help is essential.
Regular visits to your dentist for check-ups and professional cleaning are highly recommended. Taking good care of our teeth means our mouths can be disease-free, allowing us to enjoy all the benefits of healthy teeth. If you maintain your oral health with good oral hygiene practices, coupled with regular visits to your dentist, the odds are in your favour that you can keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Here are some handy tips to keep your teeth and gums in top-notch condition:
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At least twice a day, after you get out of bed in the morning and before sleeping, brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride prevents tooth decay by strengthening the tooth’s hard outer surface, called enamel.
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Angle the bristles toward the gumline so they clean between the gums and teeth.
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Use dental floss or an interdental brush to clean between your teeth.
The Oral Health Promotion Division aims at promoting oral health to the public and facilitating the proper use of oral healthcare services.