My dental care checklist

A must-read before going to bed! =)

I've set my hp alarm clock, put on my polka-dots pyjama, pat my favourite pillows and ready to dive into my cozy slumber-land...But hey wait, NO! I'm definitely not ready for bed yet. oopss I haven't done anything good to my teeth. I obviously know that a lot of things will happen in my oral cavity while I'm sleeping; reduced salivary flow will somehow give way to more bacteria accumulation which then leads to excessive damage to my teeth.

So here's my oral care checklist, let's check it out!

Did I eat right today?

Balanced diet helps our body (including our mouth) to stay healthy and build a strong system for our growth, health maintenance, defense against illness, body repair etc. As the old adage goes, you are what you eat! Thus, proper nutrition is important for good health! Limiting the amount of food and beverages that are high in sugar can greatly help to maintain good dental health. Let's eat more fruits and veggies! =)

Did I brush my teeth today?

When we brush our teeth properly, at least twice a day and 3 minutes per session, we are removing the plaque (the soft and sticky substance that accumulates on the teeth from the food debris and bacteria) that eventually causes cavities. We'll not only brushing our teeth but also massaging the gums. Hence, always go for the soft or extra soft bristle toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to clean our teeth unless our dentist recommends another type for some specific purposes.

Did I floss today?

Flossing will remove plaque that stuck in between the teeth where the toothbrush can't reach. Removing plaque from our teeth will also helps to prevent gum disease. Make sure to adopt the correct technique of flossing as improper way will only cause further damage to our teeth and gums. It may take us quite a long time to stand in front of mirror for the first couple of times flossing but once we get the hang of it, we'll find it to be a relatively easy exercise.

Have I ever thought of using a mouthwash?

Actually, it is not necessary to use mouthwash if the basic maintenance of oral health like brushing and flossing has been done because these activities are good enough to keep our teeth and gum healthy. Nevertheless, mouthwash still can be used in conjunction to brushing and flossing as it is useful to keep freshen up our breathe and reduce the risk of having plaque.

Keeping our smile healthy and looking good is not the most difficult thing in the world after all. It just need some amount of dedication and love towards our own body (remember: mouth and teeth are parts of our body as well!). Ultimately, we have to take good care of our oral hygiene in order to keep our smile healthy! ^_^ and of course, in essence, cleanliness is an important part of Islam that aspires the health and strength of Muslims. The holy prophet (saw) has said: “Cleanliness is the sign of Imaan (faith)” and according to another riwayah, “Cleanliness is half of Imaan (faith)”.

Wallahu'alam.

Ok now I can really go to sleep in peace...

Goodnyte dear!