Today is World Oral Health Day, happy WOHD! Did you remember to brush your teeth this morning? When was the last time you flossed?
No two people on this earth have the same set of teeth, they are as unique as your fingerprint. My mother didn’t spend $8,000 on my teeth (braces) so I could go and ruin them. Your teeth are so important and a $2.99 toothbrush from the supermarket’s sale aisle isn’t going to cut it. You spend an average of 38.5 days in your lifetime just brushing your teeth. “Many dental diseases are preventable. There are many preventative products now available including advanced toothbrushes, like the Philips Sonicare range,” says Auckland dentist, Dr. Richard Lowe.
Did you know that the enamel on the surface of your teeth is the hardest part of your entire body? The new Philips Sonicare range is powered by a patented sonic technology and the DiamondClean improves your gum health in just two weeks. “The diamond-shaped bristles and high-bristle density are more superior at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than a manual toothbrush,” said Dr Lowe.
The DiamondClean has five brushing modes that allow you to change the way you brush your teeth according to your needs. It has also been clinically proven to whiten teeth in one week while removing up to seven times more plaque compared to a manual toothbrush.
If you’re like me and let’s be honest, there are days where you just don’t have time to floss but the new AirFloss by Philips Sonicare cleans inbetween your teeth in just 30 seconds! Unlike the traditional string floss, the AirFloss uses mircroburst technology that quickly shoots air and water through a small nozzle guidance tip.
“Flossing is an essential part of oral hygiene. Many people don’t do it for a variety of reasons including a lack of dexterity or a lack of time. With an easy alternative to flossing now available, there’s no excuse not to floss,” said Dr Lowe.
“I personally use both products, as they really are the closest that you can get to that dentist-clean feeling.”
Here is Dr Lowe’s five easy and affordable tips for a healthy smile:
- Good things take time. Make sure you brush your teeth for long enough. With busy lives these days it’s all too easy to “rush the brush”. It takes at least 2 minutes to be able to effectively remove bacterial plaque deposits with a toothbrush.
- “You don’t need to floss all your teeth, only the ones you want to keep!” Don’t underestimate the value of flossing. If I had to choose between taking a toothbrush or dental floss to a desert island, I would choose dental floss. As a minimum, floss at least once daily so make it a habit by flossing first before you brush at night, after a while you won’t be able to brush without flossing first.
- When it comes to diet, minimise the frequency of your in-between meal sugary or acidic snacks and drinks. The most important thing to remember is that how often you have snacks and drinks in-between meals can be more damaging to your teeth than the actual quantity. Take a packet of sweets. As a dentist I would want my patients eating the packet all at once and then allowing the saliva to help the mouth neutralise the acid effects of this over time. Drinking water is great and cheese is a fantastic dental friendly snack.
- Be aware of other aspects of your life that can also affect your oral health. If you haven’t stopped smoking yet keep trying to stop. This will minimise the risk of oral cancer developing, especially if you can also moderate your alcohol consumption. Smoking is also a major contributor to losing teeth through gum disease.
- Don’t forget to see your dentist regularly. It’s the best way to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Even if everything feels OK it doesn’t make sense to wait until it doesn’t as some dental problems can progress quite quickly without any pain or discomfort. Seeing your dentist at least every six to twelve months depending on the health of your mouth is your best protection against dental problems.
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean (RRP $329.95) and AirFloss (RRP $199.95) are available from selected Farmers, Smiths City, Harvey Norman and Noel Leeming stores. A pack of three Standard DiamondClean brush heads is RRP $39.95.
Want to know more? Visit www.philips.co.nz/sonicare
