The statistics of dental hygiene in India are gloomy. They exhibit that not many people take care of their teeth, even basically, neglecting dental health. In India, the amount of adults who have dental cavities is at 90%, and 60% – 80% of children have them too. Dental care may be ignored for a number of reasons, not least of which is fear of dental treatment and cost. With 30% of children in India having misaligned jaws and teeth, dental care is a part of overall health that requires addressing.
Another shocking statistic comes from the fact that 60% of Indians self-treat, consulting pharmacists about dental issues. Many Indians from lower and middle income groups state that most insurance policies don’t cover dental care. Dental care is expensive the world over, but people can avail of a health card. Application is easy, and dental care may be affordable enough for patients not to brush aside very essential treatment. Besides visiting your dentist regularly, a personal dental health regimen is essential.
Brush Up on Dental Care
Basic dental care, if followed as a routine even at home, can prevent the build-up of a sticky blend of bacteria and food, commonly called plaque. If the build-up of plaque is allowed to spread, serious problems can occur in your oral cavity. Gradually, plaque turns into a hard deposit called tartar, and this may trap itself beneath or between your teeth, wreaking havoc on your teeth and gums. The bacteria and toxic substances that are contained in plaque and tartar cause gums to get inflamed. Rather than taking action when it’s almost too late, it’s better to follow some dental best practices at home, while you still have your teeth intact. You don’t want cavities that may turn so bad, you will need a root canal treatment, or get gingivitis which involves swollen gums.
Best Practices for Healthy Teeth
Whether you can afford costly dental treatment or not, you will avoid great physical pain and stress, not to mention hefty bills, if you follow some best practices to look after your teeth at home.
- Brushing – Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is standard and required. Brush for at least two minutes with a brush that has soft bristles.
- Flossing – This must be done at least once a day, ideally after brushing your teeth. Flossing gets rid of any stubborn plaque that may have been left behind after brushing.
- Use fluoride – A toothpaste that contains fluoride helps to make tooth enamel strong, preventing the decay of teeth.
- Get a new toothbrush – You must replace your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if you must. Worn-out toothbrushes don’t clean teeth well.
- Healthy diet – Gum disease can be prevented if you adhere to a healthy diet.
- Say “no” to sweets – You can indulge in sweets and sweetened drinks once in a while, but regularly consuming them is a no-no for good teeth. Brush your teeth or gargle with mouthwash after, in case you do have them.
- Avoid smoking – If you do smoke, it’s better that you stop now, as smokers have more problems in oral cavities than non-smokers. Besides this, smoking isn’t a boon for overall health.
- Schedule dental check-ups – Regular visits to the dentist are a must, even if you don’t have obvious problems. Every 6 months, professional cleaning of teeth is recommended, and seeing your dentist once in 3 – 4 months is mandated. Dentists may detect issues that lay people miss, and can prevent serious teeth problems.
Affordable Dental Care
If you are putting off a visit to the dentist due to affordability issues, you can easily get a health card application online, and you will get a card like the Bajaj Finserv Health EMI Network Card quickly. Splitting hospital, diagnostic and pharmacy bills, you can pay for any health treatment in hassle-free EMIs. Choose flexible tenors of up to 24 months, and pay for a wide range of treatment, from dental health to general surgery and cosmetic procedures at 5,500+ partner hospitals and clinics using the Health EMI Network Card.
