Maintain good oral health by avoiding snacking, sugary beverages and smoking.
Avoid these habits to keep your teeth in tip-top shape! Photo: HandoutThis article is the third of a four-part series to keep you informed of the different aspects of oral health. Stay tuned for more information 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.
To maintain good oral health, we must carefully examine different aspects of our daily lives. Sometimes, we might need to make some lifestyle changes. For instance, did you know that frequent snacking and sugary beverages like soft drinks can cause tooth decay?
Frequent snacking leads to continuous acid production. The surface of our teeth is normally covered with a thin film of bacteria called dental plaque. After we eat, the bacteria in the plaque metabolise the sugars in the food to produce acid and demineralise or dissolve the tooth structure. Saliva can neutralise the plaque acids and bring lost minerals back into the tooth, but it takes time. If we snack frequently, there isn’t enough time to complete this neutralisation process, thus preventing saliva from effectively protecting our teeth. This increases the risk of tooth decay.
The key to a tooth-friendly eating habit is sticking to three main meals per day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try to avoid snacking in between meals. If the hunger becomes unbearable, limit snacking to twice daily.
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Remember that sipping on soft drinks or other sugary beverages can be just as harmful as frequent snacking.
Apart from ditching bad habits, we need to protect our teeth in the right way. Fluoride protects our teeth from decay in three ways: it makes teeth strong and more resistant to acid, stops early tooth decay by putting minerals back into teeth (remineralisation), and interferes with bacteria’s ability to produce acid.
When shopping for toothpaste, make sure it contains fluoride. Ask your dentist about fluoride varnish at your next visit for better protection. It strengthens enamel, making teeth less likely to develop decay.
Even after getting the right toothpaste, you must brush your teeth correctly to maximise cleaning and protection. Make sure to brush all your front and back teeth at least twice daily. In addition, use dental floss to clean the space between teeth.
Poor brushing and flossing techniques can cause tooth decay and lead to oral health complications as bacteria build up on the teeth and the surrounding gums. You can learn about correct brushing and flossing techniques from dental care professionals, such as dentists and dental hygienists.
Meanwhile, you should know that smoking causes numerous diseases, including gum problems. Smokers are more prone to gum disease than non-smokers because early symptoms of gum disease are less noticeable in smokers. In addition, smoking lowers body resistance, reducing the healing capability of patients with gum disease.
It is important to regularly and correctly brush your teeth. Avoid frequent snacking, consuming sugary drinks, and smoking. But that’s not all you need to do.
The best way to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease is to go for regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings. Click here to find out more information.
The Oral Health Promotion Division aims at promoting oral health to the public and facilitating the proper use of oral healthcare services.