Maintaining a good Oral or dental Health is the mantra to an overall good health.
Poor oral health has been associated with heart disease, stroke, pregnancy complications and other health problems, but by changing certain habits, you can improve your oral health and reduce the risks.
Maintaining good health does not only mean brushing your teeth, but also making sure you brush twice a day, floss, and rinse with mouthwash so as to ensure every surface of the mouth is cleaned.
It’s necessary to visit the dentist regularly (every 6 months) to get rid of any problems at an early stage than to wait for a toothache which will eventually take you to the Dentist.
What you eat also affects your oral health
Who doesn’t love eating sugary candies, chocolates, and pastries! But it must be understood that worse happens for the oral health when we don’t clean the mouth after feasting on them.
Soft drinks with soda, which are a combination of sugar and acids, have bad effects on the teeth and they should be avoided.
It has also been observed that some people believe that chips/wafers are not sweet so it’s not bad for the teeth and most parents do not stop their kids from consuming the same.
But the fact is, no matter what food we eat or drink, even milk, which is good for teeth and gums it is very important to brush and floss after consumption of any food material or at least thoroughly rinsing the mouth with water, which will remove the food debris and thus prevent cavities.
What to eat for good oral health
As we all have heard that Calcium is good for teeth and gums. Calcium is found in dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, also in fish like sardines & salmon and in vegetables like broccoli and kale.
Citrus fruits like oranges, apples grapefruits, kiwi are very good for healthy gums as they contain vitamin C. Green leafy vegetables and drinking plenty of water also affects the oral health and overall health in a positive manner.
We should always remember that – Prevention is Better than Cure, so visit your dentist every six months and take care of your health.
Dr. Harish Narain
Department of Dentistry,
Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Muscat.
www.asteroman.com
