Maintaining good oral health is essential, and National Smile Month 2023 focuses on the importance of brushing our teeth. Brushing twice daily is crucial as it helps eliminate plaque, which, if not removed, can cause tooth decay and gum disease. However, despite its benefits, many people neglect it, leading to poor oral hygiene. In the UK, one-in-three people do not brush twice daily, and one-in-four regularly skip brushing, leading to visible plaque in two-in-three UK adults, signs of tooth decay in 31% of them, and three-in-four having had teeth extracted. National Smile Month encourages people to form healthier habits by brushing twice daily and teaching them effective brushing techniques.
Our mouth is a valuable asset that helps us communicate, eat, drink, and breathe. Taking care of it is crucial to maintain our overall health and well-being. Although it may not seem related, our oral hygiene and the environment are interconnected. Turning off the tap while brushing can save up to 12 litres of water. Additionally, toothbrushes are integral to our daily routine and must be replaced every three months after 180 uses. In the UK alone, 256 million toothbrushes are discarded each year. However, we can reuse them for cleaning bathroom tiles, kitchen appliances, and jewellery.
Technology has made significant advances in oral care products, such as electric toothbrushes, mobile apps, and education, improving oral health. For instance, electric toothbrushes can remove more plaque, while mobile apps can motivate children to brush more often.
Recent studies show that poor oral health may cause or worsen systemic diseases like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, premature or low-birth-weight babies, respiratory disease, and dementia. Therefore, maintaining a daily oral health routine is essential. Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning your tongue, using interdental brushes or floss, using mouthwash every day, and reducing sugar intake are some of the recommended practices to keep your mouth healthy.
By following an effective oral health routine, you can have a healthy and confident smile. All information in this blog is sourced from https://www.dentalhealth.org/.
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