Take care of your smile - Tips for good oral health

By taking care of the pearls of your mouth, you are giving yourself the ticket to a longer and healthier life. Many people are surprised by the important connection between the health of your body and the health of your mouth. Even more so when you realize that poor oral health can result in an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other life-threatening diseases. So what does it take to give your mouth, and therefore your body, the best conditions for a healthy life?

The concept of oral health extends beyond the well-being of the teeth. It is fundamentally about achieving a good balance of the good and bad bacteria in the mouth. When an imbalance occurs and the bad bacteria take over, the risks of disease and problems also increase.

Although Swedes generally have good oral and dental health, we still need to watch out for certain common challenges. Depending on our age, we have different common problems. In children and young people, the focus is usually on the prevention of caries. A little later in life, corrosion damage and reduced contact with healthcare often occur, which also results in poor cleaning. And among adults, caries, dry mouth and oral fungus are recurring problems.

What are the risks of poor oral health?

If a constant or long-term imbalance occurs in the mouth, it can result in several oral diseases and conditions, such as tooth loss, inflammation and damage to the teeth. But it can also result in, among other things:

Negative impact on the immune system, which in turn increases the risk of other diseases.
Those who suffer from conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease may risk a worsening of their condition.
The risk of developing cancer and rheumatic diseases increases
The risk of inflammation in connection with surgery also increases, and inflamed teeth may need to be extracted in connection with emergency surgery to avoid risking your life.

With a strong connection to inflammation and a lowered immune system in the mouth, you risk developing or worsening diseases such as heart problems, Alzheimer's, diabetes, stroke and cancer.

"Studies have shown that almost half of the population over the age of 50 suffers from some form of tooth loss. And that the risk of a first heart attack increases by about 30% in those with tooth loss."

How to maintain good oral health

The good news is that we can actively work to prevent and create good conditions. By establishing good oral health in ourselves, you give yourself the conditions for good general health as well.

There are a number of measures you can implement to treat yourself to good oral health. Let's take a closer look at these.

Review your eating habits

Many people report an increase in oral health problems as our eating habits have changed. The more sugar, soda, fast food and the like we put in, the less we know about its impact on our bodies. This type of food corrodes our teeth. If we then fail to clean our teeth and mouth, an imbalance quickly arises and additional risks follow.

By eating good food free of sugar and additives, and avoiding snacking, you have made a big difference for yourself. An easy way to reduce sugar in your food is to look for the keyhole mark on the products you buy. These contain significantly less sugar.

Furthermore, you should also eat at regular times, at least 2 hours apart, to avoid snacking in between. Also, avoid acidic drinks such as soda and juice, and drink water instead.

Keep your teeth clean

Perhaps the most important and obvious trick to good oral health is to brush properly. There are a variety of products and aids to ensure good oral hygiene just for you. The most common recommendation from dentists is to use an electric toothbrush. But in addition to that, also include mouthwash, floss, interdental brushes and toothpicks to ensure that the entire tooth is cleaned properly.

Make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride.

Fluoride is the substance that strengthens your teeth. It is therefore especially important that you choose products that maintain a high level of fluoride in your mouth. Toothpaste should contain at least 1000ppm fluoride to meet the recommendation. Gumpearl toothpaste tablets contain 1450ppm fluoride.

By brushing your teeth twice a day, you ensure a constant supply of fluoride in your mouth and create good conditions for good oral health. The recommendation is that children and adults over 6 years of age should brush with 2cm of toothpaste per brushing. But with Gumpearls toothpaste tablets, this portion is complete and one toothpaste tablet per occasion is enough.

With small means you can influence your health in the long run. Give yourself a few extra minutes every morning and evening, for the benefit of your smile.

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