In this day and age, we understand that you are constantly busy. Your to-do list seems to never end and you doubt you can squeeze anything else into your already over-crammed schedule. Especially something like going to the dentist gets pushed back on the list of priorities.
That’s why this year, for Dental Health Week (7th till the 13th of August) the Australian Dental Association (ADA) is focusing on oral heath for busy lives!
16% of Australians claim that the reason they don’t go to a dentist is because they have no time and are too busy.
However, not looking after your oral health can lead to long-term damages that will only require more time out of your busy routine rather than if you just keep up with your oral health everyday. That’s why the ADA made a four-point list of the most important, simple things you can do every day to ensure you aren’t required to spend more time on your oral health in the future.
1) It may be obvious but it’s brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day. The key here is to understand the importance of the right toothpaste and the right toothbrush. It’s recommended that you use a soft bristle toothbrush, as harsher ones can cause damage to your gums.
Plus, when you are looking at the huge variety of toothpastes available it’s important to choose one that contains fluoride in it. Fluoride helps to strengthen your teeth, making them more resistant to sugar and acid, saving you from decay.
2) The second tip is to incorporate flossing at least once a day into your routine. The most important thing here however, is to do the flossing correctly. It’s best to ask your dentist to show you the correct flossing technique, as you don’t want to end up damaging your gums. Plus flossing correctly can save you time as you won’t be worrying about what and how you’re meant to be doing it. Another option to save time is to floss using a floss threader or a floss pick, as they are simpler to maneuver.
3) To make sure you have optimum oral heath the third tip is to eat healthy and have less sugary food and drinks. Sugar is the single, biggest cause of tooth decay so limiting it as much as possible will save you future oral heath issues and it doesn’t require you to invest any extra time into your day. Plus eating healthy has a huge number of other benefits such as giving you more energy, allowing you to be more focused and feeling less stressed.
4) Finally the fourth tip is to visit your dentist at least once a year. Although this would take a little more time out of your day, it can save you from developing tooth problems that you yourself might not be able to detect. Across our three clinics we have opening hours as early as 8:00am and as late as 6pm to accommodate your busy working lifestyle. We are also open on Saturdays for those who have absolutely no time during the working week.
Finding the time to look after your teeth today, can save you a lot of time and money in the future. By just giving five minutes a day to your oral heath, you can prevent serious tooth problems, so follow the four tips and book an appointment with your dentist today.
