Ready for a journey into the world of oral health? Imagine your mouth as a bustling city, filled with teeth, gums, and a vigilant tongue. But just like any city, it needs upkeep! Brushing and flossing are your heroes, fighting off plaque and tartar villains.
Visiting the dentist is like consulting a wise sage, keeping your mouth fortress strong. And don’t forget about diet – feeding your mouth the right nutrients fuels its defences against dental decay. So let’s embark on this fun quest for oral excellence armed with toothbrushes and floss, and emerge with smiles as bright as the morning sun.
If you do not take care of your oral hygiene, your mouth will be prone to gum disease, toothache and other preventable issues. Health For Mzansi has published various articles to help you navigate these issues.
Banish that bad breath and up your oral hygiene game
Don’t let bad breath and rotten teeth steal the show during your conversations. Be the person everyone wants to chat with by prioritising your oral health. Sure, your dentist can work magic on damaged teeth, but why not avoid the drama altogether? Prevention is the name of the game, folks! Keep those pearly whites sparkling and your breath fresh – your social circle will thank you!
Ensuring adequate hydration and thoroughly rinsing away food residue are fundamental practices for promoting good dental health. Nevertheless, persons with a history of cavities or gum disease are advised to schedule more frequent dental appointments with their dentist.
Whitening your teeth will turn heads
Not everyone starts with a perfect set of pearly whites, but who says you can’t sparkle anyway? With a simple routine of discipline and consistency for maintaining white, clean teeth, we can all achieve a sparkling smile worthy of diamonds. Consult your dentist to find out what’s best for you, and you’ll be on your way to a winning smile!
Before diving into your teeth whitening journey, Dr Mohammed Ismail Mayet from Athlone in Cape Town suggests considering several factors. It’s crucial to contemplate all aspects since some patients opt for additional cosmetic or restorative dental treatments post-procedure.
Kids’ teeth: Sleeping with a bottle is a big no-no
Believe it or not, those tiny baby teeth play a monumental role in your child’s development. They’re not just placeholders for the permanent teeth to come; they’re crucial for proper speech development, nutrition, and even the alignment of future adult teeth. Baby teeth also help your child chew properly, aiding in the digestion of essential nutrients.
Feeding your babies breast milk provides the best protection against potentially fatal conditions such as sepsis, chronic lung disease, and necrotising enterocolitis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for at least six months – but why? Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health. But could breast milk also be affecting your children’s teeth?
Halitosis: The stinking realities of living with bad breath
Persistent bad breath can be quite embarrassing and make people feel self-conscious. Surprisingly, many who suffer from halitosis may not even realise they have it. Even with expensive oral care, the problem may persist because of underlying factors beyond just oral hygiene, such as what’s happening in your stomach.
According to Johannesburg-based dentist Godswill Amadi-Ihunwo, halitosis is quite common, and he says poor oral hygiene plays a big role, but there can be medical complications as well as drug-related issues.
From baking to healing, bicarbonate of soda is all that and more!
This versatile powder is anything but ordinary, with a multitude of uses that surprise and delight. From perfecting your baking to enhancing your beauty routine, baking soda does it all. Whether it’s leavening bread, crisping cookies, brightening your smile, or soothing an upset stomach, this humble ingredient is the unsung hero of your household!
Although bicarbonate of soda offers numerous health benefits, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks for specific groups. For instance, individuals with high blood pressure or kidney disease should exercise caution, as the sodium in bicarbonate of soda can elevate blood pressure and potentially worsen kidney function. Dr Afifa Titus from #Keready Mobile Clinics in Cape Town recommends consulting with a doctor or healthcare professional before using any natural remedy.
Kick bad breath to the curb with these stink-fighting foods
Sometimes, our breath doesn’t smell so fresh, and not just because we forgot to brush our teeth. Surprisingly, what we eat plays a big role. Certain foods can lead to unpleasant odours lingering in our mouths long after we’ve eaten them. This happens because the compounds in these foods can enter our bloodstream during digestion and then get released when we breathe.
Foods like garlic, onions, and certain cheeses are commonly pointed fingers at for causing bad breath. But it’s not just what we eat that can affect our breath; there are other factors at play too. For instance, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, and even certain medical conditions can contribute to bad breath.
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
