Why is good oral health so important?

With World Oral Health Day just around the corner, we want to pay attention to the importance of having good oral health. If your oral health isn’t as good as it should be, now is the perfect time to address it. 

World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day is an annually celebrated event across the globe, which takes place on 20th March. The purpose of the event is to promote the importance of good oral health and having excellent oral hygiene practices. Since 2012, the annual day has worked to make the public more aware of the benefits of good oral health. 

The day is celebrated on the 20th March for the following reasons:

• Seniors must have a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy.
• Children should possess 20 baby teeth.
• Healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities (Expressed on a numerical basis this can be translated as 3/20, hence March 20).

Why do you need good oral health?

Just like your overall health, it is important to keep your oral health in good condition. Your oral health includes your teeth, gums and soft tissues in the mouth such as your tongue, lips and cheeks. By keeping your oral health in check, you are decreasing your chances of developing complications like; tooth decay, receding gums, gum disease and even tooth loss. You only get one set of teeth to last you a lifetime. If you want to keep them, you need to look after them on a daily basis. 

What is a good oral hygiene routine?

A good oral hygiene routine consists of carrying out the following three steps on a daily basis, without fail: 

• Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, twice daily. This should be done for two minutes each time, using a soft-bristled brush. We would recommend switching to an electric toothbrush if you haven’t done so already. 

• Cleaning between your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes. Brushing alone only cleans around 60% of your teeth’s surfaces. You should clean between your teeth at least once per day and can be done either before or after brushing. 

• Rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwash. After you have brushed your teeth, you should rinse with mouthwash. This removed any debris from around the teeth and its antibacterial properties keep your breath fresher for longer. 

There are also some lifestyle changes that you can make that will improve your oral health. These include reducing the amount of sugar you consume, quitting smoking and being careful not to use your teeth as tools. 

Book an appointment with our dental hygienist

Have you ever had an appointment with a dental hygienist? If not, now is the perfect time to book yourself an appointment with our highly experienced dental hygienists at Oak Mount Dental Practice in Didsbury. 

They will be able to assess your current oral hygiene and recommend best practices and techniques for you to use at home. They will also perform a thorough professional clean around your whole mouth. This removes tartar build-up from hard to reach areas, which you just wouldn’t be able to do yourself.

To book an appointment, please click here. 

Posted by Oak Mount Dental Practice