Do you remember how doctors ask you to stretch out your tongue? The reason is that the mouth is connected to various organs like the heart, kidney, spine, etc., through a network of veins. It is said that oral health is a reflection of the internal body. 

However, people on a daily basis are following habits that can damage their teeth and gums. The result of such habits is plaque, toothache, cavity, gum bleeding, bad breath, and tooth sensitivity. 

Research suggests that over 86% of people overlook the oral care routine. The good news is 90% of oral problems can be easily avoided; want to know how? The answer lies in this article. We’ll discuss the importance of oral health and the best oral care habits so that your smile keeps shining. 

Importance of Oral Health

We all know how crucial digestion is for our health, and it’s believed that the mouth completes 90% of the food’s breakdown. Like any other system in our body, the mouth is essential for the health of other organs. 

Several studies show that poor oral health can result in diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Below is the list of systemic diseases that can occur due to bad conditioning of oral health:

• Diabetes

Poor oral health can be a nightmare for a diabetic patient. A person with diabetes will find it much difficult to control the disease in case of gum problems. 

Further, gum disease can decrease the already low insulin levels, making the situation worse. 

• Respiratory Diseases

If you aren’t taking care of your oral health, then this can damage your respiratory system. The infected teeth or swollen gums contain a plethora of bacteria that could be inhaled, resulting in lung infection.

The bacteria can also flow through the bloodstream inviting several health problems. 

• Cardiovascular Diseases

As the bacteria reach the blood, they can travel all the way to the heart, creating fatal heart conditions. The clogging of arteries by the plaque can result in atherosclerosis. 

The blockage can be concerning as it may result in a life-threatening heart attack. 

5 Oral Care Habits to Revive your Oral Health 

We know the importance of oral health, so let’s discuss the habits of cleaning up the mouth. 

Rinsing the mouth after Every Meal

It’s one of the best habits you should inculcate to strengthen the gums and teeth. Every time you eat or drink something, wash your mouth properly for around 10-15 seconds.

The tiny particles of food that otherwise would have caused cavities will be flushed out. 

Oil Pulling

The ancient Indian technique, also mentioned in Ayurveda, is oil pulling. Below is the right way to perform oil pulling:

• Take a tablespoon of oil before eating anything in the morning. 
• Swish it in and around the mouth for 10 to 15 minutes. 
• You can do your chores while doing this to save time. 
• Spit the oil out.

The oil will pull out all the toxins from the body as it creates an osmotic pressure pulling out dirt and microorganisms. 

Which Oil to Use?

• Sesame Oil for digestion problems
• Mustard Oil for cleaning tongue and teeth whitening
• Coconut Oil for bleeding gums

Make sure you’re using cold-pressed oils for a better result. 

Flossing

The dirt and debris hiding behind the teeth need to be cleaned up before turning into a cavity. Flossing is one of the best ways to clean the junk up. You need a thread to clean the spaces between teeth. 

It’ll save you from gingival bleeding. 

Exercise your Teeth

As exercise is essential for your physical health, your teeth also need exercise. No, you don’t have to lift the weight using your teeth; it’s all about chewing the food.

People often ignore the chewing part as we’re all in a rush. Chewing doesn’t mean you have to “binge eat” junk food; instead, it’s about taking time while you chew your meal. 

Food that can make your teeth strong are:

• Sugarcane
• Walnuts
• Fruits and Veggies

You should also eat food rich in vitamin C, calcium, and probiotics. 

Natural Twigs

Another best exercise for teeth is twigs, as it increases the blood flow. You can use the bark of trees like neem and babool for the best results. The antimicrobial properties will fight away germs, maintain the alkalinity of saliva, prevent mouth ulcers, and repair tooth decay.

Although chewing the twig might not be possible in the present era, you can do it once or twice a week. 

Daily Habits that Damage your Oral Health

Wrong-Way of Brushing

A survey suggests that 89% of the people are brushing in the wrong way. Although it’s not rocket science, people still tend to make mistakes that cause severe oral problems. 

Here are some tips to brush it off in the right way:

• Use a soft brush
• Brush in a circular motion
• Use a small amount of toothpaste
• Brush slowly to reach all the parts
• Brush for 2 minutes

Brushing after Meals

It’s widely believed that brushing after a meal will clean the mouth, but it can damage the gums and teeth, to your surprise. 

As the mouth is already acidic after a meal, brushing can make it even worse. 

Toxic Toothpaste

We all want shining white teeth, and this is the reason we fall for the toxic toothpaste. Most of the brands out there contain harmful toxins that can have adverse effects in the long run. Contents like sodium lauryl sulfate can be detrimental to oral and overall health.

So, switch to natural toothpaste instead of using toxic ones. 

Conclusion

We hope the article will help you understand the importance of oral health, and you’ll use these oral habits to maintain oral hygiene and health.

Let us know in the comments which one of the tips worked best for you.