Do you find yourself feeling like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Even on the busiest of days, we must not forget about our teeth. But how? When the to do list keeps growing and the hours keep flying by, how on earth do we keep our oral health priority?
We get it, you are busy and we’re here to help!
It’s important and necessary to fit caring for your teeth and gums into an already crowded diary instead of putting it on the backburner, an easy temptation when there’s so much to do. After all, we manage to find the time to get our cars serviced and our hair styled so why not care for our teeth, which is arguably far more important than many other activities we undertake.
Time is such a crucial commodity and unfortunately adequate dental care is often being neglected due to lack of time. Foundational effective oral hygiene is also often being abandoned, including correct daily brushing and flossing habits leading to a raised incidence of poor oral health that could have been avoided.
Australian health statistics show that 90% of all dental disease is preventable, yet dental decay is a significant and costly health issue amongst adults and children. Research also suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems.
Do you ever wish you had a book full of tips for busy families?
Often we are just trying to catch up with ourselves, let alone adding work, kids, school and caring for our gums and teeth to the mix! Warnervale Dental is here to help with 8 Quick Tips for Busy Families, this way you know that fitting oral health into your busy schedule is in fact achievable.
1. 2 minutes minimum
To gain the maximum benefit from brushing, you should brush for at least two minutes morning and night, using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and a flexible neck. The advantage of these toothbrushes is that they remove the plaque and debris from your teeth without damaging your teeth and gums.
2. Watch your technique
You should clean your teeth systematically, starting at the back of your mouth with the toothbrush bristle at the gum line on a 45° angle, brushing gently in a circular motion. If you scrub too hard from side to side, you can run the risk of causing your gums to recede, as well as damaging the tooth enamel. You should take care to brush carefully along the inner, outer and chewing surfaces, making sure you tip the toothbrush so you can reach the inner front areas of the teeth, which are often missed.
3. Don’t forget your tongue
While it may seem strange at first to brush your tongue, doing so actually reduces the bacteria in your mouth and helps your breath stay fresh. All you need to do is push the bristles on the tongue and scrape gently forward.
4. Choose the right toothbrush
If limited dexterity is an issue, you might consider using a powered toothbrush. They can be programmed to run for two minutes, making keeping to the correct length of brushing time easy. If you’re not sure which type of brush will work for you or your family, check with your dentist.
5. Do the floss
If you aren’t already doing so, flossing at least once a day is recommended. Floss can get into the space between the teeth and gums, removing much of the food and plaque that a toothbrush can’t. Try carrying a floss travel pack in your hand bag or wallet or leave at work for easy access. There are also some great alternative modes of flossing such as an air flosser, waterpik or pixters that essential do the same thing.
Looking for some more tips on flossing? Read our article: How to Floss Properly and Why
6. Limit in-between snacking
Snacking in between meals can increase the rate of tooth decay by increasing acid production.
7. Take the pressure down
Tempting as it is to think that pressing harder on your teeth equals a better clean, the fact is that too much pressure can damage your gums and tooth enamel. If the bristles are wearing out on your toothbrushes well before the three-month mark, you’re pressing too hard and you should ask your dentist to show you a less damaging technique. It’s also a good idea to replace your brush, whether manual or powered, when either the bristles start to spread apart, or every three months, whichever comes first.
8. See your dentist regularly
With less than 35% of Australians seeing their dentist regularly, this is an area that needs to be addressed regardless of how busy you are.
So, don’t let a busy life get in the way of good oral health for you and your family, take action today!
At Warnervale Dental, we are committed to helping to keep the Central Coast smiles healthy. Are you local to the Central Coast? Be sure to contact us today at Warnervale Dental for all of your oral health needs. Our team can even accomodate those with busy families, sure to be an enjoyable visit for not just you, but the kids as well!
Resources:Australian Dental Association