When people hear the term spring cleaning, they likely think of numerous indoor and outdoor maintenance projects in and around their homes. However, far fewer individuals stop to consider that this new season is a good time to focus on improving specific aspects of their health. Let’s get off to a good start this spring, and national oral health month, by remembering to keep our oral hygiene a priority.
The Importance of Oral Health
Often overlooked is the fact that dental health is crucial to one's general well-being. A healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body. Your mouth is a doorway for much of your overall health and a lack of proper oral care could precipitate medical maladies like:
Infections
Many noteworthy dental issues are precipitated by increased bacterial growth. When these organisms spread outside the oral cavity, they elevate an afflicted subject's chances of contracting aggressive and potentially deadly infections.
Systemic Inflammation
Dental problems are often exacerbated by unchecked occurrences of inflammation. As specific oral ailments intensify, inflammation often spreads outside the mouth to other bodily regions. This irritation of cells, soft tissues, and components like blood vessels could heighten one's risk of developing potentially significant illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, immune system disorders, and even several forms of cancer.
Nutritional Deficiencies
As oral health declines and stricken individuals encounter serious issues such as tooth loss and gum disease, their capacity to consume food declines. Over time, this untoward circumstance could result in notable and potentially life-inhibiting nutritional deficiencies.
The Importance of Obtaining Routine Cleanings
In addition to preventing the preceding appreciable illnesses, routine dental cleanings typically yield other significant benefits including:
Prevention
Those undergoing regular dental checkups often have potentially problematic underlying issues detected and corrected before they become significant or costly concerns. For example, snuffing out maladies like cavities could ultimately prevent more untoward occurrences like dental infections and gum disease.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
Partaking in routine oral maintenance often proves to be an investment in one's future health. Optimal dental care reduces the risk of many health issues and could cut down on one's future healthcare expenditures.
Improved Personal Aesthetics
Clean and healthy teeth often enhance an individual's smile and help raise self-confidence. Persons with shiny, white, and healthful teeth often smile more. Not only does smiling positively impact your personal well-being but it also affects those around you in an optimist manner.
Oral Health Month in Canada
April is Oral Health Month in Canada. During this 30-day period, a significant national focus is placed on the importance of maintaining optimal dental health. The effort, overseen by the Canadian Dental Association, serves as an effort to stress how vital oral care is and that individuals can greatly improve their dental health simply by engaging in the right actions and making proper choices. With the start of spring and April marking National Oral Health Month, we will be sharing a list of tips to help you improve your oral health this season.
Tips for Optimal Oral Health
Maintaining solid dental health mandates those interested in achieving such aims engage in numerous repetitive but relatively simple acts such as:
Brushing and Flossing
These two staples of dental maintenance are key to solid oral health. That said, executing these tasks properly is critical. Simply running a toothbrush across your teeth often does not yield favorable results.
Proper techniques, include using a soft-bristled brush, brushing both the inside and outside of one's teeth, brushing at a 45-degree angle beginning at the gum line, in addition to brushing the gums and tongue. Brushing should be executed at least twice per day. Moreover, flossing should be undertaken at least once each day or following large meals. Furthermore, individuals should replace their toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, especially after recovering from an infection.
Limiting Intake of Sugary Foods
Sugar wears away at a tooth's enamel. This is the hard substance encasing the tooth's outer portion protecting its inner components. Therefore, products with high sugar contents like candy, soft drinks, and fruit juices should be consumed in strict moderation.
Using Mouthwash
Mouthwash helps keep the mouth fresh, moist, and kills potentially detrimental particles like bacteria. In addition, mouthwash helps reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and strengthens the enamel.
Obtaining Professional Care
Aside from at-home dental care, semi-annual dental checkups and cleanings at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa are essential in up keeping good oral health. During your appointment, any issues that may come up can be resolved in a timely matter and avoid any long-term consequences from developing.
Schedule A Dental Appointment in Ottawa
While you proceed with your spring cleaning this month, remember to upkeep your dental well-being. Schedule an appointment with us today at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Happy National Oral Health Month, be sure to take good care of those pearly whites!
