Dental Health: How to Keep Your White Smile Forever

By: Wonah Tamarah

The first thing people notice about you is your smile. As cliché as it sounds, a smile is the best accessory you can wear. But if you’re struggling with oral health, you might not be motivated and confident enough to wear it. The teeth are very important because, what is a smile without teeth? Some common tooth issues affecting children, young adults and the elderly are:

1. Tooth sensitivity: You know that feeling of biting into your very delicious ice cream and the only thing you can taste is not the flavor but the icy feeling in your teeth? That’s tooth sensitivity. It’s the pain and discomfort felt when consuming hot or cold foods.

2. Bad breath and tooth decay: This is caused by different things ranging from one’s diet to bacteria and acid production leading to tooth decay.

3. Gum disease: This is the inflammation and infection of the gums leading to tooth decay and potential tooth.

In maintaining good oral health, it is important to avoid these tooth issues and there are a variety of ways for caring for the teeth. This includes:

1. Brushing twice daily: For centuries, people have been using chewing sticks to brush and clean their teeth. These sticks were gotten from the branches of some medical plants that have been found to improve dental health. One of these is Miswak, a traditional tooth cleaning twig made from the Salvadorian persican tree found in certain parts of Africa and Asia. It has antimicrobial properties that reduce bacteria and plaque and makes the teeth white. The use of toothbrushes have replaced some of these herbal remedies though some use it in addition to brushing and flossing. Using a good toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste can improve one’s dental health by removing plaque on the teeth. It is recommended to change your toothbrush every three months. However, it is not enough to merely brush one’s teeth but also to floss.

2. Flossing: Brushing one’s teeth cannot remove food particles in the mouth completely. This is where flossing comes in. A floss is a piece of string that is passed between the teeth to remove plaque-causing food particles in parts that a toothbrush can’t reach easily. It is necessary for the avoidance of buildup on the enamel (the outside surface of the teeth) which could cause mouth odor if not properly taken care of.

3. Rinsing: This involves using mouthwash to rinse the mouth. This helps to keep the breath fresh and eliminate bad breath.

There are other issues that could require the help of professionals. One might require regular dental checkup from a dentist. They treat and perform procedures like tooth fillings and extractions. A person that also needs teeth alignment and braces might need to consult an orthodontist. Some of these specialists also offer specialized teeth cleaning and oral health education.

Here are some additional health tips:

Limit sugary foods and drinks: If it can’t be totally avoided, sugary foods should be reduced to maintain healthy teeth. Acidic foods should also be avoided so as not to cause tooth sensitivity.

Eat a balanced diet: The inclusion of fruits and vegetables in one’s diet helps support oral health.

Wear a mouth guard: If you do sports especially wrestling or boxing, you’ll need to wear mouth guards to protect your teeth from getting hurt.

The importance of dental health cannot be over emphasised. A person with a good oral health will likely live better than someone whose oral health leaves a lot to be desired.

Lets face it, if one is able to talk, speak and interact with people without feeling embarrassed about mouth odor or coloured teeth, the person will definitely feel more confident. Good dental health can improve quality of life, enabling individuals to eat, speak and socialise with confidence.

Maintaining good dental health through regular care, healthy habits, and professional check-ups can significantly impact overall health and quality of life. It also helps to prevent different tooth decay and tooth loss Remember, a healthy smile is the sign of a healthy body.