This is how proper oral hygiene works
Today is World Oral Health Day. A good occasion to question your daily oral hygiene: Is a toothbrush necessary at work? How long should you wait after a meal to brush your teeth?
The dental health organization FDI World Dental Federation wants to mark today's worldOral Health Day to dispel some oral care myths. After all, good oral hygiene habits can contribute a great deal to good oral health well into old age - and save a lot of pay doctor costs, especially in Switzerland.
Risk factor sweet drinks
Oral hygiene is only one of the risk factors that can contribute to poor oral health. An unhealthy diet, especially one high in sugar, is one of the most common risk factors for oral disease. Specifically, the FDI criticizes sweet drinks such as fruit juices, sodas and energy drinks, which often contain large amounts of hidden sugar. The organization recommends only consuming beverages with a sugar content of less than 2.5 grams per 100 ml. By comparison, cola contains more than 10 grams, orange juice around 9 grams and the energy drink Red Bull even has 11 grams per 100 milliliters. The risk of dental diseases increases from 50 grams of sugar per day, which corresponds to around 12 teaspoons.
Smoking and alcohol
Tobacco use increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancers. It also causes discoloration of teeth, bad breath, tooth loss and loss of sense of taste. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of dental injuries and increases the risk of tooth decay. In addition, like tobacco, it contributes to increased cancer risk.
Good dental hygiene
Back to the daily ritual of dental hygiene: what belongs to it, what is too much?
The FDI's recommendations:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste is ideal.
- Do not rinse your mouth with water directly after brushing your teeth so that the fluoride can develop its effect. Spitting out is sufficient.
- Wait until at least 30 minutes after a main meal before brushing your teeth.
- If there is no opportunity to brush teeth after a meal, chew sugar-free gum or use a fluoride mouthwash.
- Visit a dentist at least once a year - or as soon as you see signs of poor oral health.
- Refrain from tobacco.
- Eat a healthy diet, with as few foods and drinks as possible that are high in sugar.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Use a mouth guard during contact sports.
