Oral health is crucial for our overall well-being, as it not only relates to chewing, speech expression, and appearance but is also closely linked to social confidence and overall health. In traditional Chinese medicine, a lot of beneficial oral health knowledge has been accumulated, here are some simple and practical oral health tips.
Four Methods for Oral Health Actions
Oral diseases are common, almost as common as the common cold. Traditional Chinese medicine suggests maintaining oral health through daily small actions:
1. Tooth biting and rinsing: Gently bite as if holding something in your mouth, perform circular movements with both cheeks and tongue, repeat dozens of times. Then rinse your mouth and accumulate saliva, gradually swallow in batches. This process can stimulate saliva secretion, aid in digestion and oral cleansing, while also exercising the muscles around the mouth.
2. Teeth tapping: Calmly close your mouth, gently let the upper and lower teeth tap against each other several times, ensuring all teeth participate, avoiding excessive force to prevent damage. Regular tapping can strengthen tooth durability, improve chewing efficiency, and promote blood circulation.
3. Tongue exercising: Move your tongue flexibly within the mouth, rotate around the teeth in all directions until saliva increases, then repeat the biting and swallowing several times. This method can increase saliva production, moisturize the digestive system, and be beneficial in preventing oral mucosal diseases and tongue atrophy.
4. Gum massage: While brushing your teeth, apply appropriate pressure on the gums, using the gentle pressing of the toothbrush bristles to temporarily cause gum ischemia followed by congestion, thus improving local blood circulation and enhancing gum resistance.
Maintain Daily Habits for Oral Health
– Regular brushing and rinsing: Brush at least twice daily, especially before bedtime to remove plaque and food debris, maintaining oral hygiene. Rinsing after meals is also important to remove food residue and keep the mouth fresh.
– Balanced diet: Limit the intake of high-sugar foods and carbonated beverages to reduce the risk of tooth demineralization, avoid cavities and sensitivity issues. Cultivating healthy eating habits is crucial for dental health.
– Use fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste can effectively prevent cavities and is suitable for all age groups, especially children and the elderly. Nevertheless, toothpaste cannot replace professional treatment, so when oral problems occur, seek medical attention promptly.
– Regular oral check-ups: Undergo at least one oral health check-up annually to early detect and manage oral diseases, preventing conditions from worsening.
– Professional dental cleaning: Regularly visit the dentist for cleaning services, typically once a year, to effectively remove tartar and maintain dental and periodontal health.
Key Points for Adult Dental Care
– Pay attention to root caries: With age, gum recession may expose the tooth roots, making this area prone to cavities, requiring regular examination and timely treatment. – Prevent and treat periodontitis: Periodontitis is a common issue among middle-aged and elderly individuals, requiring professional treatments such as periodontal flushing or surgery for management rather than solely relying on medication.
By utilizing the aforementioned methods, we can actively maintain oral health, prevent diseases, and enjoy a more confident and comfortable life.
