Have you ever considered that the secret to overall health lies within your mouth and having good oral health habits? Our mouth is not just the entry point for our daily nutrition; it's the initial checkpoint for our general health.

And what you put in can affect all aspects of your health including oral health. An investment in oral care is an investment in your complete well-being.

Here are two simple steps you can take to improve your oral health that your body will thank you for.

1. Limit Sugar! 

Lollies, soft drink, chocolate and ice-cream! Why is it that everything that tastes so good is so bad for you?

Well, the answer is it’s not…… In moderation.

You don’t have to cut sugar completely; your body still requires sugars! Sugars aren't the enemy; it's the type and quantity we consume.

Refined sugars, especially common in processed foods, can wreak havoc on your teeth, increase your risk of cancer, and may even swing your mood.

But fret not! The solution isn't to cut refined sugar out completely, there’s no harm in treating yourself to a sweet every now and then, but it’s important to have moderation and to make wise choices.

Try and swap out some refined products for substitutes, here are some options:

By making small changes to your sugar consumption and steering clear of refined sugars your body will thank you and it will do wonders for your oral health.

2. Drink Water

Water is the best!

Considering nearly 60% of your body is made up of it, it’s important you keep to the recommended 8 glasses a day, especially if you live in a hot climate.

Depending on where you live tap water can contain fluoride which will strengthen your teeth and clean your mouth at the same time. Thankfully for us in Australia, most of our tap water contains fluoride!

The benefits don’t stop at your oral health! Water also keeps your skin looking healthy, helps digestion and even can boost your energy. That’s why it’s hard to believe some Aussies don’t consume the recommended water intake.

Not consuming enough water can lead to you feeling lethargic, agitated and can even alter your mood. That is why it is best to keep up water consumption.

Oral Health: Tiny Steps, Big Leaps

When you think about it, oral health is really the starting point to good overall health. And each step we make adds up to quite a lot of distance!

So don't forget these two tips:

1. Limit your refined sugar intake by substituting high processed foods with healthy alternatives
2. Stay hydrated by keeping up with your water consumption

If you can keep these in mind, you’ll be well on your way to achieving excellent oral and overall health!

And don’t worry, sometimes an urge hits and we give in to our surgery temptations, but it’s always better to have healthy habits you occasionally ignore than to not have them at all!