Oral health happens to be the key indicator of well-being and health. When an individual squeezes in an hour to exercise, they are on the right track. However, it is imperative to remember that oral health is the window to overall wellness and needs care as much as those abs one is “crunch-ing” for. There are 120+ systemic diseases that are linked to oral health and any slack in taking care of the mouth may lead an individual to pay more than what they ever bargained for. Onlymyhealth editorial team talked to Dr. Mohender Narula, Founder and Chairman, MyDentalPlan Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, about some dental hacks for people with a busy schedule.
Dental hacks for busy schedule
However, we understand that life has become very hectic and the time we need to spend on taking care of our health is being spent doing other activities. Working more than 12 hours a day has become very common in our lives which leave very little time for ourselves. Meanwhile, lack of self-care, good oral practice in everyday life deteriorates the health and increases chances of losing teeth.
In order to keep our teeth cavity-free, balance is needed. It is a well-known fact that bacterial growth increases in the mouth post eating and creates acid which alters the pH level making our teeth susceptible to decay. Therefore, one needs to note certain simple but helpful tips to maintain oral health while maintaining a busy schedule.
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1. Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing on sugar-free gum after eating encourages saliva production and flow which washes away acid and bacterial enzymes from the mouth. However, make sure the gum isn't flavoured or sweet. In that case, the effect will be reversed and there will be more acid produced.
Also read: Good Oral Hygiene Practices According to Your Age
2. Controlling Binge
Since it takes approximately 20 minutes for the acidity to wear off after eating, one needs to discontinue the habit of munching for a long period. Eating continuously creates more acidic production and it remains on the teeth for a longer duration thus damaging the teeth even more.
3. Drink Water
We all know that water is our body’s best friend and washes away impurities and toxic substances. Moreover, it does the same for oral health too, drinking plenty of water helps in acid dilution and also cleans any remaining food debris from the mouth that may get attacked by cavity-causing bacteria. In addition, drinking water in enough quantity also helps in fighting bad breath.
4. Mouth Rinse
Not everybody is comfortable with drinking water right after eating. If you are one of those people who choose not to drink water during or after your meals or beverages like tea/coffee, you may just rinse away your mouth. Rinsing will help clean acid and food debris and will eventually help your oral health.
5. Choosing Right
Choosing the best dental hygiene products for your daily routine is the first step to good oral health. You must use dental association approved products and not choose a brush or toothpaste that may cause dental abrasion. Do not be fooled by the marketing strategies of the brands and consult a dentist before choosing products. They will recommend the best toothpaste/brush that is the most suitable fit. Remember that one size does not fit all!
Also read: Debunking Dental Health Myths: 7 Things That We Believe But Aren’t True
6. Floss Away
Every individual is not patient enough to floss properly, even if it is only once a day. Therefore, one can divide the work throughout the day instead of doing it all at once. Rushing while flossing may hurt the gums so it is better to floss in parts. Maybe flossing the lower teeth in the morning and upper teeth at night (or vice versa) will seem easier to such people.
7. Red Lips
It is not possible to go for a professional cleaning every six months so some resort to drug store whitening strips and trays. However, one must remember that over the counter teeth whitening products may not always be a good solution because dentists do not prefer the usage of such items on a regular basis. Picking the right shade of lipstick can do the trick for the moment. A word of caution, choose the right shade or else the preferred illusion may reverse and make your teeth look paler.
The most common oral health problems include dental cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Additionally, poor oral health can cause bad breath, dehydration, erosion of self-esteem, malnutrition, speech problems, and trouble eating and swallowing. Therefore, one needs to take care of the same as it affects more than the mouth and the teeth and could lead to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Image credits: Freepik