Oral hygiene basics: 5 bad habits you need to change before they ruin your teeth

More than a third of Singaporeans aged 21 and above have untreated dental cavities and 94 per cent suffer from gum diseaseHabits such as clenching and grinding of teeth, chewing on hard foods can also cause significant dental problems

The latest National Adult Oral Health Survey in 2019 revealed that around a third of Singaporeans aged 21 and above suffer from untreated dental caries. Dr Chan also pointed out that the National Adult Oral Health Survey found that more than a third of the adults surveyed visited the dentist only when they experienced a problem with their teeth, mouth or dentures.Regular cleaning and preventive care are key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Not only is this not a proven claim, it is bad for your teeth because taking frequent small meals or snacks throughout the day does not give saliva enough time to neutralise acids in the mouth. Dr Lee from NDCS explained that while eating or drinking, especially foods high in sugar or acids, the pH level in the mouth becomes more acidic, meaning the pH level becomes lower.

“If snacking replaces meals or if snacks are low in water content, it can result in low salivary flow. Reduced saliva flow means less protection against acid attacks, increasing the risk of tooth decay,” Dr Lee added.Have regular meals at fixed timings. This results in fewer acid attacks on the teeth, compared to continuous snacking, Dr Lee said.

Dr Lee advised having three balanced meals a day and if needed, to take oral health-friendly snacks in between .Popular sugary snacks and drinks that are sticky and chewy such as kueh, glutinous rice balls, mochi and bubble tea with its add-on gelatinous items in the form of jelly and tapioca balls tend to adhere to teeth, filling crevices and spaces for extended periods of time, promoting bacterial growth.

Dr Lee said that people who engage in an active lifestyle or play sports regularly might consume isotonic energy drinks, which can be high in sugars and acids. “In the aftermath of snacking, take care of food particles that can become lodged between teeth, which promote bacterial growth and increase the risk of dental issues.

The dentists also suggested consuming sugary or acidic food and drinks as part of a meal — for example, at the end of the meal — rather than as snacks throughout the day or a standalone snack. The increased saliva production during meals would help neutralise the acids.

Teeth Dentist

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

She completed law degree while working as a domestic helper in SingaporeMs Jayanthi Gamage has plans to get a master’s degree and hopes to become a lawyer.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »

She completed her law degree while working as a domestic helper in SingaporeMs Jayanthi Gamage has plans to get a master’s degree and hopes to become a lawyer.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

‘Make merry while we still can’: Ex-crew members of SIA and its predecessor get togetherSINGAPORE - Some 130 former crew members who used to work for Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its predecessor, Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA), attended a soiree at the Singapore Cricket Club on April 28.
Source: STForeignDesk - 🏆 4. / 71 Read more »

Set aside space for people to use spontaneously to create ‘magic’ in the city: Chan Heng CheeWhile Singapore "works", people do not typically think of the city as surprising, she said.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

'Most awful reaction': Nicole Kidman reveals she laughed when she saw late father's bodyNicole Kidman 'laughed' when she saw her father's dead body — and her mother had to 'slap [her] face' to bring her back to reality. The 56-year-old actress plays the mother of a missing child in her new show Expats and she's told how she drew on her own real-life reaction following the death of her father Anthony Kidman in...
Source: asiaonecom - 🏆 10. / 59 Read more »

Woman claims she is Aliff Aziz's girlfriend; says she feels cheated and disappointedSingaporean actor Aliff Aziz's name is once again the talk of netizens after a woman known as Sarah Yasmine claimed on Instagram that she is his girlfriend. According to her post, she has been in a romantic relationship with Aliff since January. Sarah...
Source: thenewpaper - 🏆 7. / 63 Read more »