Confession time: my teeth are a mess. I’m going to be honest with you here. Sure, a big part of it is a result of some health care issues and some medication I was on but I have to take responsibility for part of it. I should have had better oral health care and hygiene, knowing the extra risks I was facing because of those health problems. And now, I don’t smile the way I used to.
Spot the difference:
Yep. I still smile but I always try to keep my mouth shut so you can’t see how gross my teeth look. Sigh. And it’s not just their appearance that bothers me. I know that poor oral health can contribute to poor health elsewhere as well. Tooth and mouth pain, missing teeth, infections – these aren’t just uncomfortable, they can be downright dangerous!
That’s why I’ve partnered with Church and Dwight, makers of Arm & Hammer to bring you this important dental health information and a wonderful giveaway of dental care products. With the help of Arm & Hammer Dental products, families can ensure their teeth are fresh, clean and leave them feeling revitalized.
Check out these Oral Healthcare and Hygiene Tips and then be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post for your chance to win $100 in oral health care products.
1. Don’t take your dental health lightly or put it on the back burner. Just this week 3 different people mentioned that they go to see a doctor regularly but they always put off seeing the dentist. I know there can be a bit of a fear factor involved with going to the dentist but if you let yours know about it, many of them have strategies to help. AND the more you see your dentist for preventative care, the less likely you are to need any major dental work!
2. Teach your children to care for their teeth from a young age. You, of course, will have to do all of the work at first but establishing that habit with them is oh so important. Being a good role model and letting them see you care for your teeth is too! They need to know it’s a priority and they need to understand why.
3. Do you know how to brush your teeth? Are you SURE? Many of us think we know how – after all, we’ve been doing it all our lives, and yet, we aren’t really using the proper technique. Get your dental hygienist to observe you and guide you to ensure that you are taking the best possible care of each and every tooth!
4. We all know we should brush at least twice a day right? But what about in between? What if you don’t have a toothbrush and toothpaste handy? At the very least, give your mouth a good rinsing out with water. This will wash away some of the food particles and some of the acids that might be present in your food and drinks. Mouthwash can also help eliminate germs that may attack your teeth.
5. Limit foods that stick to your teeth. Dried fruits may seem like a healthy snack (and they generally are) but they can be damaging to your teeth because they are so sticky. Watch out for too much pop, juices, and other acidic foods and drinks. If I drink juice, I now make sure to rinse my mouth out with water right after and definitely before brushing. Brushing right after having something acidic can actually spread the acid over your teeth and make things worse so a good rinsing first is a big help.
6. Consume foods and drinks that are good for your teeth, especially those rich in calcium. Besides the calcium which is the foundation of healthy teeth, you also need Vitamin D, Vitamin B complex, copper, zinc, iodine, iron, and potassium in order to maintain good oral hygiene.
7. Don’t forget about your tongue. Brushing your tongue helps eliminate germs that may damage your oral health and can improve your breath at the same time!
8. Use quality dental health care products. Arm & Hammer has a full-line of products that can help remove plaque, fight cavities, and remove stains.
Do you have any dental health care tips to share with us? Add them in the comments below!
Enter the giveaway for $100 in assorted Arm & Hammer dental care supplies below. Open to Canadian residents only. Picture shows a sample of products; actual prize may vary. Please allow 6-8 weeks after contest ends for delivery of items.
Mary Boudreau says
Along with brushing, flossing and rinsing you must eat healthy foods that contain Calcium and Vitamin D and B complex . as well as copper, zinc, iodine, iron and potassium if you want to have healthy teeth
Marika Toth says
Thanks for the tips. Great advice.
Laurie says
I believe it is important to brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Keeping sugary foods and beverages to a minimum is best as well. Twice a year visits to your dentist is ideal so they can do a teeth cleaning and x-rays to ensure that you don’t have any cavities, gingivitis, or any other issue that may need to be addressed. Great tips, thanks for sharing!
Brian says
I really liked the infographic you shared here. It has a lot of good information! I definitely need to be better about brushing twice a day myself. Thanks for sharing!
Selene says
This is some really great information! Dental health is certainly very important and like you said can also affect health in other areas of your body. Thanks for sharing!
Chris says
Very well thought out and informative article. You bring up some great points about how your mouth affects your overall health and tips on what to do (or not to do). Thanks!
Sarah Chrish says
It’s very informative posting! I think this posting would be effective for all.
I am very specific with sugar consumption and how it can cause harm to teeth, particularly among children.
Heather says
Tongue-brushing and brushing teeth for at least two minutes are some of the techniques that are really effective in easily improving oral health, so I’m glad you highlighted those tips in your post! Thanks for sharing.
Lise S says
Amazing post, Cyn. Loved the infographic that you have shared. Also, I agree that one needs to put their fear aside and visit the dentist on a regular basis, as procrastination can only hamper your dental health.