With more and more people vaccinated against coronavirus every day, the government is easing its previously imposed restrictions to combat the pandemic. So guess what? This means that you, your family, and your friends are likely to be partying during the holiday season.
Regardless of the excitement of planning your festivities, you need to make sure that you look after your oral health during this silly season.
Brush and Floss Regularly
Ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably when you wake up and before bedtime. When doing this, use the proper technique. This is brushing at a 45° angle against your teeth and gums. Additionally, don’t forget about your tongue, as this is among the causes of bad breath.
Additionally, remember to floss your teeth once a day. Flossing removes the food particles stuck between your teeth, preventing the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which are the causative factors for cavities.
Regular Dental Appointments
Visiting the dentist regularly isn’t easy for some, and understandably so. Making the time, the thought of pain, and sometimes, the money involved are often the excuses people give for failing to honour dental appointments.
In reality, dental visits aren’t as painful as in the past, thanks to technological advancements.
Additionally, dentists can detect cancers and other potential oral health hazards before they become severe. This saves you the money that you’d otherwise spend on treating the conditions.
Avoiding Bad Habits
Smoking, eating sugary foods, and drinking coffee, energy drinks and alcohol are some factors that define Australian summers. While they’re enthralling, these habits can hurt your oral health.
This summer, try avoiding these practices as they increase the risk of tooth discolouration, tooth decay, and gum disease. In some cases, this might lead to tooth loss.
Eating Healthily
Notwithstanding the temptations, don’t stack up on junk food this summer. Ice cream, fries, hamburgers, and other sugary foods should be the last on your shopping list.
Instead, focus on eating healthily. Ensure that your diet consists of carbs, proteins, fats, and vitamins. Simply put, this is a balanced diet. More importantly, drink adequate amounts of water to aid in digestion and keep your mouth clean.
Braces & Invisalign
If you have misaligned teeth, don’t forget about your braces. Whether you use Invisalign or Braces, it’s critical to wear these corrective installations as per the dentist’s recommendation.
Invisalign should be worn for a minimum of 22 hours daily, although you can take them off while eating. As such, it makes it easier to clean them and your teeth.
Braces, on the other hand, are not removable and are notorious for trapping food, leading to a build-up of plaque. So if you are going to indulge during the festivities, make sure to clean thoroughly around the metal wires.
Use Mouthwash
If you have had a cheeky glass of wine (or 2…), then mouthwash can help conceal alcohol’s unpleasant bad odour. This product can also help in preventing bad breath in general. It will also help to ‘swish’ away any bits of food trapped between your teeth that your toothbrush may struggle to reach.
Wrapping Up
While partying is inevitable, given the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, you can’t pass up on your oral health. Brushing your teeth, making sure you floss and visiting your dentist regularly are crucial to maintaining your oral health and preventing further complications.
Lastly, it’s vital to eat healthily and avoid poor oral health practices. Eat balanced diets and keep away from bad habits like smoking, consuming alcohol excessively, and drinking caffeinated beverages.