World Oral Health Day 2021 arrives on Saturday 20th March and for three years their campaign theme is Be Proud of Your Mouth. This is being pushed to encourage more people to value and take care of their oral health. In 2021 the main focus is to teach the importance of oral health for your overall health.
Explore our tips for healthy teeth and gums as we begin the countdown to World Oral Health Day 2021.
Have a Consistent Routine
Like with anything in life, consistency is key. By following a daily oral care routine, it will be much easier to maintain a healthy smile. Brushing twice daily, flossing to remove food debris and using mouthwash when needed are the basics but also the most important.
If you wear braces, ask your orthodontist what they recommend for brace care and ensure you follow what they say. The more you incorporate a routine into your daily life, the easier it will become to remember to do so and it won’t seem like such a chore.
Using the Right Products
Tips for healthy teeth include using a fluoride toothpaste when brushing. On World Oral Health Day 2021 make sure you have stocked up to incorporate it into your routine if it isn’t already. Fluoride toothpaste helps to prevent tooth decay, but remember to not use mouthwash straight after brushing, as this can wash the fluoride away.
Unless advised otherwise by your dentist, this is how much fluoride is recommended for your toothpaste:
- Under 3 years old: Smear of toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm fluoride.
- 3-6 years old: Pea sized amount of toothpaste with more than 1,000ppm fluoride.
- Adults: Toothpaste with 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.
Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, focus on your brushing technique. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and make sure you are reaching the entire surface area of each tooth and are brushing for 2 minutes per session. For hard to reach areas, this is where floss is helpful.
Follow a Balanced Diet
When it comes to your diet, there are tips for healthy teeth. Eating the right foods and drinking prefered beverages can benefit your teeth.
Sugary foods and drinks should be reduced, including sweets, sugar filled cereals and fizzy pop. Limiting your alcohol intake is also important, as alcoholic drinks can erode the outer surface of your teeth. As a result, this can lead to a loss of enamel and potentially call for a dental filling.
The NHS website has lots of information regarding diets and oral health.
Teaching Your Children
The influence you have on your child can be very powerful, which is why it is important to teach them self care. Oral care is an essential step in self care routines, to ensure a healthy and fresh smile, and with the World Oral Health 2021 message, it can benefit your overall health to lead a healthier life.
Fun two minute songs, character toothbrushes and flavoured fluoride toothpastes can all help to create a fun and engaging oral health routine day and night. Teach them tips for healthy teeth and watch their independence grow as they take their oral health into their own hands.
How We Can Help
We hope that our tips for healthy teeth and gums ready for World Oral Health Day 2021 has inspired you to improve your oral care routine. At Marsh House Orthodontics we offer orthodontic braces which can be one way to achieve a healthier smile.
At the moment we are offering free video consultations to anyone looking to have orthodontic braces. To book, simply complete our online enquiry form.