Follow These Five Tips to Maintain Your Dental Health
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is a wonderful exercise in self-discipline.
It is also considered equally cleansing and therapeutic, physically as well as mentally. But while fasting, certain steps need to be taken to prevent it from taking a toll on your dental health. Listed below are five quick tips on maintaining oral hygiene during the month of Ramadan
Tip 1: Brush immediately after suhoor and iftaar meals
During the month of Ramadan there are two key meals in the day: suhoor (or the pre-dawn meal) and iftaar (the meal with which Muslims break their day-long fast). These tend to be big meals and often feature a heavy dose of sugary foods. A good practice is to brush right after these meals to prevent bacterial build-up.
Tip 2: Don’t forget to floss and use mouthwash
If flossing and the use of mouthwash are not already a part of your daily dental regime, make sure to incorporate them in during the month of Ramadan. Dental floss serves to clean up the remnants of food stuck between the teeth, while mouthwash washes away the bacteria.
Tip 3: Multiply the consumption of water during non-fasting hours
A lack of hydration is associated with bacterial build-up and, subsequently, bad breath. To circumvent this during Ramadan, simply increase the amount of water you consume during non-fasting hours. Drink approximately two to three glasses of water to freshen the mouth during iftaar.
Tip 4: Increase your fruit and vegetable intake
Instead of consuming sugary, carbohydrate-rich or acidic foods during meals, eat fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts to minimise the amount of time teeth are exposed to acid. These foods also strengthen the body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, which can help protect the teeth and gums.
Tip 5: Avoid sticky foods
Any food that contains sugar or starch can cause tooth decay by dissolving the protective enamel on the teeth. But, much more important, is how long a particular food stays on your teeth. Some of the most damaging foods are those that mash into the tops of the molars at the back of the mouth and don’t dissolve quickly. Ideally, avoid sticky foods as much as possible during Ramadan.
