A few everyday things that support your oral health
When we think about looking after our teeth, brushing is usually the first thing that comes to mind.
And yes, what you brush with, and how you brush, matters.
But oral health is about more than those two minutes at the bathroom sink.
Your mouth has its own clever systems working away throughout the day, and some of the everyday things we barely think about can play a role too.
So, let’s talk about a few of them.
1. Saliva is doing a lot behind the scenes
Saliva probably doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves.
It’s constantly helping to wash food particles from the mouth, keep oral tissues moist and neutralise acids produced after we eat and drink.
It also contains minerals including calcium and phosphate, which are involved in the natural processes that help maintain tooth enamel.
In other words, saliva isn’t just… well, saliva. It’s part of your mouth’s natural defence system.
2. Your mouth’s pH changes throughout the day
Your mouth isn’t sitting at one perfectly fixed pH all day.
Eating and drinking, particularly foods and drinks containing fermentable carbohydrates or acids can cause the pH in the mouth to drop.
Saliva then helps bring the environment back towards its usual balance over time.
This is one reason we’re fascinated by oral pH at ohGiGi®. It’s another reminder that what’s happening in our mouths extends well beyond brushing.
3. Hydration matters
Because saliva plays such an important role in the mouth, staying hydrated is another simple piece of the puzzle.
If your mouth regularly feels dry, don’t just think about your toothbrush or toothpaste, consider whether you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, too.
Persistent dry mouth can have many causes, so if it’s something you experience regularly, it’s worth speaking with your dentist or health professional.
4. It’s not only what you eat, frequency matters too
Every time we eat or drink certain foods and beverages, the environment in our mouth changes.
Rather than thinking about foods as simply “good” or “bad” for your teeth, it can be helpful to think about the frequency of exposure too, particularly frequent sipping or snacking on sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
Giving your mouth time to rest in between and saliva time to do its job between eating and drinking occasions is another part of the bigger oral-health picture.
5. Chewing helps get saliva flowing
There’s a reason your mouth starts watering when food appears.
Chewing not only helps to break food into smaller pieces, it also stimulates saliva production, helping your mouth manage the changes that happen when you eat.
Sugar-free, plastic-free chewing gum can also stimulate saliva flow after eating when brushing isn’t practical, although, of course, it’s not a replacement for brushing.
Oral care is bigger than brushing
We love a good brushing ritual at ohGiGi®, obviously ♡
But one of the things we find most interesting about oral care is how much more there is to it.
Your saliva. What you eat and drink. How often you eat. Hydration. Chewing. Your daily habits. And yes, the products you choose to use.
They’re all little pieces of a much bigger picture.
And the more we understand what’s happening inside our mouths, the more considered we can be about the everyday choices we make.
Oral care, reimagined.