World Oral Health Day – What does your smile say about you?

Did you know that our bright, healthy smile can affect more than just our oral health? From managing chronic diseases to mental health, having a healthy mouth is incredibly important. So, for this World Oral Health Day (20th March), Philips has developed a must-know guide to oral health from mouths to molars.

Your mouth as a mirror of your health

Your mouth is often thought of as ‘the gateway to your body’ as it can indicate so much about your overall health. In fact, numerous studies show a strong link between poor oral health and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke^[1]. Globally, around three and a half billion people suffer from oral diseases – such as tooth decay and gum disease; many of which can be prevented through good oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing and having regular dental check-ups. As with many major health issues, prevention, early detection and treatment of oral disease is important to stop any negative effects on the rest of your body.

Reveal your most confident you

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. A healthy, bright smile can also leave a great lasting impression. But did you know that having a healthy mouth and smile can have a big effect on how you feel about yourself? In fact, research shows that having a healthy mouth can help you feel more self-confident^[2]. And feeling more confident can make you smile more often, which induces endorphins, the happiness hormone!

Oral health can impact every aspect of life; that’s because the health of your mouth is connected to your emotional, social, mental and overall physical wellbeing. But remember: a beautiful smile doesn’t mean it has to look perfect. A healthy mouth is what you can be truly proud of!

What advice would your teeth give you?

Your teeth know the inside of your mouth better than anyone. What tips and tricks would they share with you to help you achieve your healthiest, most confident smile?

Did you know? Nearly 40% of a tooth’s surface area lies in-between your teeth.^[3] To reach tight spaces, drink lots of water and floss at least once a day.
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and chard are full of vitamins A and B which are believed to promote blood flow to your teeth, helping to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.^[4]
Yes, brush your tongue too! Cleaning your tongue removes bacteria that causes plaque to build up on your teeth and gums.^[5]
Brushing may come before flossing in the dictionary, but it shouldn’t when it comes to your teeth. Research shows that interdental cleaning before brushing is the best way to clean our teeth effectively.^[6]
Brush before breakfast to remove bacteria that builds up overnight and to protect your teeth before eating. If you brush immediately after breakfast, you risk rubbing acids or sugars into your enamel.^[7]

Take control of your oral health

At Philips, we want to help you adopt good habits and take charge of your oral health at home with ease. Our advanced personalised solutions are developed not only for you to have a beautiful smile, but also because a healthy mouth may mean less health-related issues for you in the future.

Get a helping hand with the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige, our most advanced electric toothbrush, that senses your brushing style and adapts as you clean. Powered by artificial intelligence, its in-built sensors detect the pressure you apply, the cleaning motion you use and the coverage you achieve – giving you a truly personalised oral health care experience. You can also try a Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, which reinvents traditional flossing and delivers a complete clean in just 60 seconds^[8]. It sweeps bacteria and food debris away from the gum line and in between teeth, effortlessly removing up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas^[9].

With Philips Sonicare, it can be surprisingly easy to get the best results – so you can wear your healthy smile with pride!

[1] Dietrich T, Garcia RI. Associations between periodontal disease and systemic disease: Evaluating the strength of the evidence. J. Periodontol 2005;76:2175-2184.

Barnett ML. The oral-systemic disease connection. An update for the practicing dentist. J AM Dent Assoc 2006: 137 (suppl): 5S-6S.

[2] Keeping your mouth healthy | Oral Health Foundation (dentalhealth.org)

[3] How to keep your teeth healthy | Philips Sonicare

[4] Food for healthy teeth and gums l Philips Sonicare

[5] How to keep your teeth healthy | Philips Sonicare

[6] https://www.dentalhealth.org/oral-health-top-tips

[7] https://www.healthline.com/health/should-you-brush-your-teeth-before-or-after-breakfast#summary

[8] in clean mode

[9] in an in-vitro study, actual results may vary