PHCC expert offers tips to maintain good oral and dental health

Dr Walid Sultan, dentist at Omar Bin Al-Khattab Health Centre of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), has highlighted some healthy tips to avoid tooth decay and its side effects, from sharp toothache and inflammation of the pulp to gum infections and tooth loss."Do not overeat sweets, cakes, biscuits, ice-cream, honey, soda, dried fruits and hard candy. Instead, go for healthier options for your oral health, such as fruits and vegetables, as they are high in fibre, which helps keep your teeth clean, stimulates the saliva, and removes sticky foods forming on your teeth,” advised Dr Sultan.Eating fruits and vegetables is good for the gum health, as they provide vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help support gum and bone health. Leafy vegetables and apples are recommended to preserve oral health.He also recommended intake of dairy products, being the key to maintaining oral and dental health, as milk, cheese and yogurt increases saliva secretion. In fact, calcium and phosphate found in dairy products help harden tooth enamel.Further, he advised to replace sugar-sweetened gums with sugar-free ones, as studies have shown that chewing gum increase salivary flow. This is incredibly important to resist tooth decay and lubricates the gums and oral tissues, which helps reduce gum infections and bad breath. Yet, it is possible to eat low-sugar foods and sweets with meals.Dr Sultan noted that people should drink plenty of water throughout the day, explaining that water helps remove sugary acids and food stuck between the teeth and helps prevent plaque buildup.He finally advised people to properly brush their teeth every day after each meal using a suitable brush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride as well as a dental floss, noting that they should visit the dentist on periodic basis for oral and dental checkup.