Have you wonder about what role your teeth have for your whole body health? For World Oral Health Day today, it is timely to think about how having a healthy mouth is incredibly important.
Your mouth as a mirror of your health
Just as the eyes are windows to your soul, your mouth is often thought of as “the gateway to your body” as it can indicate so much about your overall health.
Numerous studies show a strong link between poor dental hygiene and unexpected links to general health consequences and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and stroke.
Globally, around three and a half billion people suffer from oral diseases – such as tooth decay and gum disease; many of which can be prevented through good oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing and having regular dental check-ups. As with many major health issues, prevention, early detection and treatment of oral disease is important to stop any negative effects on the rest of your body.
The confident you
A healthy bright smile can also leave a great lasting impression, and your smile is one of the first things people notice about you.
But did you know that having a healthy mouth and smile can have a big effect on how you feel about yourself? In fact, research shows that having a healthy mouth can help you feel more self-confident. And feeling more confident can make you smile more often, which induces endorphins, the happiness hormone!
Oral health can impact every aspect of life; that’s because the health of your mouth is connected to your emotional, social, mental and overall physical wellbeing. But remember: a beautiful smile doesn’t mean it has to look perfect. A healthy mouth is what you can be truly proud of!
What advice would your teeth give you?
Your teeth know the inside of your mouth better than anyone. What tips and tricks would they share with you to help you achieve your healthiest, most confident smile?
Did you know? Nearly 40% of a tooth’s surface area lies in-between your teeth. To reach tight spaces, drink lots of water and floss at least once a day.
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and chard are full of vitamins A and B which are believed to promote blood flow to your teeth, helping to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
Yes, brush your tongue too! Cleaning your tongue removes bacteria that causes plaque to build up on your teeth and gums.
Brushing may come before flossing in the dictionary, but it shouldn’t when it comes to your teeth. Research shows that interdental cleaning before brushing is the best way to clean our teeth effectively.
Brush before breakfast to remove bacteria that builds up overnight and to protect your teeth before eating. If you brush immediately after breakfast, you risk rubbing acids or sugars into your enamel.
Take control of your oral health
Luckily there are tools you can rely on in between visits to the dental hygienist to keep things shipshape. Philips have a range of advanced personalised solutions are developed to help you adopt good habits and take charge of your oral health at home.
Get a helping hand with the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige, their most advanced electric toothbrush, that senses your brushing style and adapts as you clean. Powered by artificial intelligence, its in-built sensors detect the pressure you apply, the cleaning motion you use and the coverage you achieve – giving you a truly personalised oral health care experience. You can also try a Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, which reinvents traditional flossing and delivers a complete clean in just 60 seconds. It sweeps bacteria and food debris away from the gum line and in between teeth, effortlessly removing up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas.
We reviewed the Philips Sonicare Airfloss Ultra a little while ago and it certainly made a positive impact that is noticeable to my oral hygienist. If you are not a fan of air flossers, perhaps the water flosser such as the the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser or the Waterpik series.
Whatever your preference, take a little extra care of your mouth as an investment in your body.
