Wellness is a concept that encompasses all aspects of health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s about taking a proactive approach to maintaining good health, rather than waiting until a problem arises; this means active prevention, detecting the earliest signs of issues, and reversing them before they ever become serious.
When it comes to dental wellness, you want to be health-oriented and take steps towards achieving the healthiest teeth, gums, and natural smile possible.
By adopting healthy habits such as brushing and flossing regularly, having dental check-ups, and maintaining a healthy diet – yes diet matters here! – you can prevent many dental problems before they arise. This also means choosing the most minimally invasive treatments, known as biomimetic dentistry.
Biomimetic dentistry is a type of minimally invasive dentistry that aims to restore the tooth to its natural state, rather than replacing it. It uses materials that closely mimic the mechanical properties of natural dentin and enamel.Teeth are complex and enamel can heal itself, given the right conditions of course! In biomimetic dentistry, materials are added to the tooth in a way that mimics its natural structure and function – there is minimal drilling needed.
Dental wellness and biomimetic dentistry go hand in hand, as they both focus on maintaining the health of your teeth and gums, while minimising invasive and harmful procedures.
Infections in the mouth can transfer to other parts of the body. The harmful bacteria are able to enter the bloodstream, causing infection or inflammation in other parts of our body therefore leading to a myriad of health issues.
Gum disease harms the gums and teeth-supporting bones. Neglecting it can severely harm your teeth and surrounding tissues. Gingivitis – the early stage – is the presence of inflammation in the mouth tissues and is still reversible through proper treatment, such as oral hygiene habits improvement and professional cleaning. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which is gum disease, harming the bones and tissues supporting the teeth, leading to tooth loss and impacting oral health.
Gum disease is a form of chronic inflammation that occurs as a result of periodontitis causing bacteria within the gums. These harmful bacteria can be released into the body, which can increase the risk of developing a handful of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
By maintaining healthy gums and teeth, you automatically reduce the risk of developing health issues.
When we know that inflammation is the root cause of most (if not all!) chronic diseases we want to keep inflammation at bay and do what we can to prevent it from being there in the first place.
…staying on top of your dental health can also help reduce your dental and medical bills!
When evaluating your dental health, a holistic view is the best way to go. This takes into account the many different factors and potential risk areas (which can lead to issues in other areas and health deterioration).
Refer to the health of your gums, teeth, and jawbone, and how they are affected by genetics, lifestyle habits, and other health conditions. Examples:
Relate to the shape, position, and alignment of your teeth, and how they are affected by dental conditions such as cavities, fractures, or wear and tear. Let’s look at a few examples:
Refer to how your teeth work together to bite, chew, and speak, and how they are affected by issues such as tooth loss, or bite problems. For instance:
By considering these three main areas of dental health, you can work with your dentist to develop a personalised plan that addresses your specific needs and helps you achieve and maintain a healthy smile for years to come.
Get an advanced dental risk assessment from a dentist across 22 data points, understand your unique risk factors and get advice on preventative procedures and regimes to achieve optimal dental wellness.
There is no magic key to unlocking your healthiest smile. However, establishing a solid oral care regime to support your gums, enamel, and dental health will certainly go a long way.
That means avoiding sugary foods and drinks that can cause tooth decay and acidic or carbonated drinks that dissolve enamel making it more prone to chipping.
Find out why drinking plain warm water and eating the rainbow are great wellness practices to incorporate into your daily routine.
Using an electric toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste can help you better prevent tooth decay.
The surfaces between teeth are important to clean as food gets stuck there and can lead to decay. This can be done either with small interproximal brushes, regular dental floss or a water flosser with a mix of water and medicated mouthwash – this can help prevent gum disease, a common cause for inflammation.
According to Ayurveda, this helps remove toxins accumulated on the tongue overnight and unwanted bacteria that cause bad breath.
Pre schedule your bi annual appointments with your local dentist for professional hygiene and overall check up. Make sure to schedule a date for the next appointment each time.
Instead of rinsing your mouth after brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste so you can give it more time for the active ingredients to strengthen your tooth enamel.
When you eat, the acidity levels in your mouth increase as your teeth come into contact with foods and drinks. This acidity weakens enamel, making your teeth susceptible to damage from brushing. Wait at least 1 hour after eating to allow your mouth to return to a more neutral pH level.
Over brushing can harm your teeth and gums. Particularly when done with a hard-bristled toothbrush or an aggressive brushing technique, can damage your enamel and gums, leading to gum recession. Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time is sufficient for most people, but be sure to check with your dentist!
Abrasive whitening toothpastes other over the counter natural whitening products can damage your tooth enamel over time. Even though results may seem immediate, it will gradually wear down your enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity. If you want a whiter smile make sure to opt for a clinic grade whitening treatment under the guidance of your dentist – follow this link for a dentist prescribed internal whitening solution.
Here are 5 practical tips to keep in mind when aiming for optimal dental wellness:
Discovering the transformative power of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle has been my personal journey of healing and growth. Through my own experiences and dedicated study, I’ve compiled years of insights, which I’ve poured into this ebook.
Inside, you’ll discover: