What women should know about oral hygiene

Posted on

26 October 2014

| Last updated on 19 April 2017

What women should know about oral hygiene

Like the old saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” And a winning smile is one of the best ways to make a positive impression on others. Of course, there are myriad health reasons to take good care of your mouth as well.

Now, everybody knows that brushing and flossing are vital to maintaining oral health, but there are a number of things that we can do to improve our smiles. There are also a few common cleaning techniques that, surprisingly, can be counter-productive or even harmful to our teeth. So read on, ladies of Dubai, and learn how to get a clean and healthy smile!

Flossing
For a majority of people, flossing is just something that the dentist nags you about. But in fact, flossing is much, much more important than brushing. The delights of Middle Eastern cuisine can often lead to food stuck between your teeth (especially those sticky desserts!). Simple brushing may miss particles that get crammed into those little gaps between your teeth and gums, and only flossing can really get to those hard-to-reach spots. But perhaps more importantly, regular flossing keeps your gums healthy. And this is absolutely crucial. What good are those pearly whites if you don’t have healthy gums to hold them in place?!

Don’t brush!
Ok, the sub-heading got your attention and might surprise you. But you actually should never brush your teeth…immediately after a meal. Wait about an hour after eating, then brush. The process of digestion which begins in your mouth leaves your teeth vulnerable. Let nature take its course and brush later.

Now, we all love those garlicky, spicy, pungent dishes native to the Emirates, so how should we make sure not to blow everyone away with our breath? Gum is probably not a good idea because even the sugar-free stuff is laden with all kinds of strange chemicals. Grab a sprig of parsley, chew it up, and rinse with plain water or black tea. It’s healthier for your mouth, and refreshing!

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Do it softly
You’ve waited awhile and had a nice post-meal chat with your parsley-fresh breath: now let’s brush those champers. Bear in mind that most people do it wrong, starting with their choice of brush, which should always be soft bristled. Why do toothbrush brands even bother selling the firm brushes, which are really only good for ruining perfectly good enamel? Some people swear that the firm bristles get their teeth cleaner. They don’t.

Now, the oral care industry is not going to like me for saying this, but you’re also probably using too much toothpaste. A tiny pea-sized amount is sufficient. Try to use the natural stuff if possible, but actually, the type of toothpaste you use is not that important. Unfortunately, children’s toothpaste with all those added sweeteners are probably the worst. Don’t forget to scrape your tongue, too.

Now show off that smile!