The Importance of Self Care and Diet in Maintaining Oral Health

Life can be busy, but it’s important that we all take a moment to ourselves to nurture our physical, mental and emotional health. Whilst work demands and commitments to friends and family often feel overwhelming, our dental health, daily care routines and diet all contribute to our state of wellbeing and should not be neglected. Dentists often find that patients present to the dentist only once significant toothache or pain has emerged, yet these problems can be prevented by paying attention to daily brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist regularly. In this blog post, Central Brunswick Dental Centre will be sharing some insight into the importance of self care.

What is self care?

Self care is a bit of a buzz word, you’ve no doubt heard it in the media and online. At its core, this term is used to describe any beneficial activity which will nourish the mind and body. It could be something as simple as watching your favourite TV show, cooking your favourite meal or enjoying a spa bath. These activities are all about taking some time out to treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion as you do others. In doing this, you will achieve positive long term benefits across the body, mind and soul.  

Self care also applies to the more mundane, yet just as important, activities of daily life. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily and ensuring that your diet is well balanced. In looking after yourself, you will not only be giving yourself the best chances of avoiding serious health complications but also supporting the following five aspects of self-care:

• Physical
• Psychological
• Emotional
• Spiritual
• Relationship

Simply put, practicing self-care will aid in supporting our mental, emotional and physical health.

How Does Self Care Relate to Oral Hygiene?

Looking to restore confidence in your dental health and enjoy the process? Try incorporating the following as part of your self-care routine.

Treat Your Gums – Floss Regularly

Flossing can be quite a therapeutic process, and the benefits for your gums are numerous. Not only does flossing help to eliminate debris and plaque, it can also help in promoting circulation in the gums. Think of flossing like getting a massage, and you will quickly start to enjoy the process and appreciate the fresh and clean feeling after each session. 

Treat Yourself to a New Toothpaste

There’s a plethora of toothpastes on the market today, so you don’t have to limit yourself to the same old mint-flavoured toothpaste. Why not try a different flavour for a change? Just make sure that it contains fluoride, in which case it will have an Australian Dental Association seal of approval. 

Remember to only use a pea sized amount of tooth paste, that’s all you need.

It is also a good idea to leave a bit of toothpaste on your teeth so the fluoride in the toothpaste can provide more help in preventing tooth decay.

Keep a Healthy diet with healthy food and stable meals

We know that sugary food and drink can lead to a higher risk of tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth metabolises these sugars and produces acid at the same time, which is not good for your teeth.

Also, snacking and sipping of sugary drinks also promotes the bacteria in your mouth to produce acid doesn’t allow it to get back to a more neutral, healthy state, therefore increasing the risk for tooth decay. 

It will be a good idea to try to limit snacking so the bacteria in your mouth is not always producing acid and rinse well after every time you have eaten so there are no hidden/remaining food particles for the bacteria to use. 

Take a Holistic Approach Towards Health

It’s important to remember that your dental health can affect your overall wellbeing. Failing to maintain a good oral hygiene routine could lead to painful toothaches and infection, which can negatively impact other aspects of your health. By paying close attention to your oral health and attending regular check-ups, you can minimise the risk of experiencing serious dental complications. 

Book an Appointment at Central Brunswick Dental Centre Today

Taking some time for self-care is one of the best things you can do for yourself, but it’s important to visit your dentist for an 6 monthly check-up. If it has been a while since your last dentist visit, please call Central Brunswick Dental Centre today on (07) 3216 1100 to book an appointment.