Australia’s Oral Health Tracker (2024) reveals alarming numbers concerning the state of healthy teeth and gums in the population. Only 53% of adults brush their teeth twice daily, while 47.8% consume too much sugar. There’s also an increase in untreated tooth decay and reports of toothaches in the last 12 months. Plus, less than half of the adult population has had a dental checkup in the past year. These figures reflect a worrying decline in oral health and overall quality of life.
However, it’s not too late to turn things around. Safeguard your smile by following simple, expert-recommended steps. Adopt these habits to achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums. You‘ve got this!
How to clean your teeth and gums
“Every Australian should be flossing once a day and brushing twice a day,” emphasises the Australian Dental Association (ADA). “Failing to floss and brush regularly puts many Aussies on a fast track to poor oral health which if left untreated, contributes to serious whole of body conditions.”
Follow these helpful tips from the ADA to achieve clean teeth and gums:
- Use a soft toothbrush and apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Brush after breakfast and right before bed.
- Brush at a 45-degree angle with small circular rotations.
- Clean teeth and gums for two minutes.
- Avoid applying too much force on your teeth and gums.
- After eating, wait an hour before brushing.
- If you’re not near a toothbrush, rinse with water until you can access one.
- Avoid brushing too much, which can harm your oral health.
- Discuss oral health products with your dentist before purchasing.
- Floss before brushing.
Crooked teeth make it difficult to reach the nooks and crannies of your teeth and achieve a thorough clean. To address the issue, get your teeth straightened with ClearCorrect aligners. These are more discreet and comfortable than traditional metal braces. And they’re completely removable, allowing you to eat and clean your teeth with ease.
Take this online smile assessment to discover if you’re a candidate.
7 habits to keep your teeth and gums healthy
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums also involves making the right choices. Start with these:
1. Eat healthy snacks.
For many, junk food and soda are diet staples. But highly acidic and sugary foods can mean bad news for your teeth. Instead, go for healthier treats that offer as much satisfaction, like fresh fruits or veggie sticks and hummus.
2. Trade sports drinks for water.
Between athletics training and friendly basketball games at the nearby park, your busy schedule can leave you constantly parched. But before packing your gym bag with bottles of sports drinks, consider the high levels of dietary acid and added sugar they contain. These ingredients can damage tooth enamel, setting the stage for decay. For healthy teeth and gums, stick to good old H2O.
3. Quit smoking.
There’s no denying the harmful effects smoking has on teeth. Here are some undesirable oral issues associated with nicotine addiction:
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Nicotine stains on teeth, tongue, and lips
- A dull sense of taste and smell
- Painful, bleeding gums
- Mouth or throat cancer
4. Avoid mouth piercings.
No matter how cool they look, mouth piercings can lead to a nasty oral infection. The mouth is home to millions of bacteria, so piercings in or around the area can increase the risk of inflammation. There’s also the danger of teeth chipping and difficulty eating or speaking.
Mouth piercings can also lead to problems more serious than not being able to chew properly. Research from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health links mouth piercings to conditions like endocarditis and hepatitis.
5. Use a mouthguard.
If you’re into extreme sports like skateboarding or boxing, a mouthguard can protect your teeth from dental injuries. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends wearing one when playing a contact sport or whenever there’s a chance of being hit in the face or mouth.
6. Get a dental filling to restore teeth structure.
Consult a dentist regarding possible tooth decay and discuss the appropriate solutions for the condition. Several filling material options are available, including composite resin, glass-ionomer cement, dental amalgam, gold, and porcelain. Your dentist can assess various factors and suggest the most suitable type.
7. Visit the dentist regularly.
Make sure you see a dentist twice a year. Beyond preventing cavities, these visits can uncover underlying health conditions. For instance, damaged enamel or stained teeth may point to signs of an eating disorder or an addiction to smoking or other substances.
Developing habits to maintain healthy teeth and gums is no easy task, but it isn’t impossible. Put in the effort to achieve a beautiful smile. It’ll be worth it!
References:
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on prevention of sports-related orofacial injuries. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2023:122-7.
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Meth Mouth.
Dental caries (Tooth decay) in adolescents (Ages 12 to 19 years). (n.d.). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Dental health of Australia’s teenagers and pre-teen children: the Child Dental Health Survey, Australia. (2023). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Malcangi, G., Patano, A., Palmieri, G., Riccaldo, L., Pezzolla, C., Mancini, A., Inchingolo, A. D., Di Venere, D., Piras, F., Inchingolo, F., Dipalma, G., & Inchingolo, A. M. (2023). Oral Piercing: A Pretty Risk—A scoping review of local and systemic complications of this current widespread fashion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5744.
Moynihan, P. (2016). Sugars and dental caries: evidence for setting a recommended threshold for intake. Advances in Nutrition, 7(1), 149–156.
Sbricoli, L., Bernardi, L., Ezeddine, F., Bacci, C., & Di Fiore, A. (2022). Oral Hygiene in Adolescence: A Questionnaire-Based Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 7381.
School dental program prevents 80 percent of cavities with one-time, non-invasive treatment. (2023, February 23). ScienceDaily.
World Health Organization: WHO. (2017b, November 9). Sugars and dental caries.
