Excellent oral health does not happen by chance. You need to make deliberate effort that will pay off now and in the future.
I have listed ten things you might want to incorporate into your personal oral health goals for 2021 and beyond.
1. Brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste – in the morning and last thing to bed. This helps to get rid of plaque, odour-causing bacteria and tooth decay.
2. Try to avoid sugary drinks, sweets and other confectionery. I know this is really difficult (winks) – you can brush or rinse your mouth after your treats.
3. Avoid acidic drinks like apple cider, lemon, lime, etc. The acids erode the tooth enamel and eventually make your teeth sensitive.
4. Avoid excessively hot or cold drinks. This may not be too healthy for your teeth. It could cause nerve damage especially in teeth that are already sensitive.
5. Do not crush everything at sight. The human teeth are not as hard as you think, compared to other species. Avoid the tempting bone crushing spree, especially as you get older, because the teeth get more brittle.
6. Avoid using your teeth as tools. If you need to open a drink bottle, please get a bottle opener! If you need to cut wires, get a wire cutter or pliers! This will save you needless tears and regret.
7. Use dental floss to clean in between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. The dental floss is also very useful in removing debris stuck in between the teeth. It is better to avoid the traditional wooden or plastic toothpick because they damage the teeth and gum in the long run.
8. Do not jump on the bandwagon of dubious home remedies. There are quite a number of them like – brushing with baking soda, charcoal or ground porcelain. Get the best dental advice from your dentist.
9. Have your scaling & polishing done professionally every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
10. Get a dental consultation and check up with your dentist once in six months. At this visit anything going wrong with your teeth or mouth can be easily detected and prevented from getting worse.
Very helpful, thanks so much Dr
You are welcome. I am glad you found this very helpful.
Thank you Dr Fijabi for this useful information especially for those of us who are older.
Thank you Ma for reading. I am glad you found the information very useful. Both young and old need good dental care.
Dr Fijabi is an excellent Dental Surgeon who treats your teeth gently but with precision.He does not poke around your mouth. I think he has modern instruments which help him to see clearly where the problem lies so his treatment is fast and thorough. At 81, I have been treated by many Dentists so I speak from Experience. I have also seen young children in his Very Clean modern Clinic. Dr Fijabi must not leave us.
Thank you so much ma.
You are one of those who inspire us to push ahead.