Why dental care matters

Dental care or oral hygiene are the measures taken to keep the teeth and gums clean.

The most apparent benefits of dental care are preventing oral conditions like bad breath, tooth decay and gum diseases like gingivitis, and preserving the lifespan of teeth. Research also links oral health with overall health. Poor oral health contributes to the risk of developing conditions like diabetes, obesity, liver disease, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

But dental care goes beyond disease prevention. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for:

• supporting healthy nutrition because it impacts how you experience and consume food.

• communication because poor dental health can affect speech and self-confidence.

Dental care prevents plaque build-up

The most common issue in dental care is preventing the build-up of dental plaque. Plaque is a yellow film made up of bacteria that attach to tooth surfaces and around the gum line. Plaque formation is a natural occurrence that worsens with the consumption of a high sugar diet. If not removed, plaque leads to tooth decay and inflamed gums.

Over time, plaque that is not removed hardens into calculus both above and below the gum line and can cause tooth loss. Once calculus forms, you cannot remove it without a professional dental clean. Even dentists require professional dental cleaning!

There are several aspects to dental care. Here are some that are essential to your overall health.

Daily brushing

Brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes, at least twice a day. The effectiveness of brushing is determined by your technique and choice of toothbrush and toothpaste.

The gold standard technique is using an electric toothbrush with a soft or extra-soft head. Hold it gently against each tooth surface for 3 seconds and move to the next one. Do not move it from side to side like a manual toothbrush.

Be sure to brush the chewing surfaces and the back of your last tooth. If you have a manual toothbrush, mimic the movement of an electric toothbrush by moving your toothbrush in circles.

Daily flossing

Floss once a day to remove plaque buildup and food particles between teeth, where brushing cannot reach. Curve the floss like a “C” shape so it doesn’t hit the gum as you move the floss down the side of the tooth. The aim is to remove plaque build-up along the tooth surface, not to scrub the gum!

Healthy lifestyles

Maintain a well-balanced diet with low sugar content. Avoid highly processed foods and drinks with high sugar content. Avoid snacking, as this makes it harder for your saliva to combat the resulting acidity that encourages plaque growth. Acidity stains your teeth and eats away at the enamel surfaces of your teeth, which causes sensitivity.

Smoking is probably one of the worst things you can do for your health. It stains your teeth, causes gum disease and increases your cancer risk. Vaping, unfortunately, also causes problems in your mouth, where it too, creates an acidic environment

Schedule routine dental check-ups

Dental check-ups offer more than a professional dental clean. They are an opportunity to discuss habits, and to detect any problems early. Visit your dentist at least twice a year to professionally clean your teeth and to create an individualised plan that will help you optimise your oral health and your overall health.

Your dentist will also provide you with additional guidance if you are pregnant/planning to get pregnant or have any pre-existing conditions that increases your chances of dental problems.