Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene with a Busy Lifestyle
A nationwide survey found that on average, British adults are spending close to £200 per year on dental hygiene products, such as toothpaste, mouthwash and floss, to maintain a healthy smile.
With more people finding themselves visiting the dentist on a regular basis and cosmetic treatments, including teeth whitening, becoming increasingly popular, the concern for good oral health rises.
However, despite the increase in spending and dentist visits, a Yougov survey in support of SimplyHealth Professionals, found that only 69% of UK adults brush their teeth twice daily while 2% confess that they don’t even brush their teeth at all.
With concern about the amount of people skipping brushing their teeth, one possible explanation suggested was that people are skipping steps out of their hygiene routines and delaying dental appointments as they can’t find time in their busy schedules.
However, a good oral hygiene routine is an essential part of everyday life that only takes a matter of minutes to complete each morning and evening and avoiding it can lead to serious consequences for your teeth and gums.
Therefore, we have created a list of ways to organise your busy, working lives around a good oral health routine:
- Organise Your Mornings
If you can’t find time in your morning and evening routines to brush your teeth, then you should make time. To free time in the morning, meal prep and lay out your outfit the night before, along with other tasks that take up too much time. Then spend your new free time completing a thorough oral hygiene routine.
- Find Healthy Alternatives
Snacks with hard shells or filled with sugar can be a hazard to your oral heath, as they encourage teeth decay. Find alternatives that will be gentler on your teeth and gums, including foods that are rich in calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and vitamin C. This may include cheeses and other dairy products, nuts, raw vegetables and sugar-free gum.
- Drink Plenty of Water
With water being non-acidic, sugar free and zero calorie, drinking plenty of water throughout the day can be very beneficial for your oral health. A tip for encouraging yourself to drink more is to have a bottle of water filled up on your desk. This acts as a constant reminder and requires minimal effort. Water bottles are also great to grab and go, so you always have a bottle on you.
Keeping refreshed by water all day will also help to combat morning breath, keep you feeling fresh and hydrated and won’t put you at risk of tooth decay, gum disease or enamel erosion like a lot of sugary drinks will.
- Cut Down on Bad Habits
Smoking is a bad habit that is consequential for all of your body, including your mouth. Smoking cigarettes can stain your teeth and be a potential threat for gum disease and mouth cancer. Also, less frequent smoking breaks means more time can be spent being productive with your work.
- Visit Your Dentist
No matter how busy your schedule may be, it is always crucial to make time to visit your dentist for a routine check-up. This can identify any potential problems with your teeth and treat it there and then, rather than prolonging the wait while the issues get worse, leading to worse consequences and more time being taken up in your schedule.
To book an appointment with JDRM Dental Care visit our website to find your nearest practise.
