Image commercially licensed from Unsplash
Taking care of our bodies is an essential part of our daily routine. From skincare to hair care, we all have our favorite self-care routines that we try to prioritize almost daily. However, when it comes to our dental care, it often takes a back seat. Despite the fact that dental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, it’s often neglected in favor of more visible and glamorized beauty routines.
Dr. Joyce Kahng, an expert in the dental field, emphasizes the importance of oral health, noting that it can be connected to various health issues such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and preterm birth. Most people understand conceptually that the health of one’s mouth can reflect their overall health; However, taking care of your dental health is often overlooked since the mouth is easier to hide than other areas of your body. As a result, some people inadvertently ignore their oral health until they can no longer put it off due to embarrassment of their teeth’s appearance or physical pain.
The embarrassment that often accompanies poor dental health can also negatively affect a person’s mental health and self-esteem. Bad breath, cavities, and discolored teeth are dental obstacles that can contribute to making people feel self-conscious and less confident in their physical appearance or even social situations. Without realizing it, neglecting your daily dental care can affect your quality of life.
The stigmas around dental health can sometimes be closely tied to how your guardians and peers felt about going to the dentist. Many people learn from their parents, for example, to only go to the dentist when something hurts instead of on a preventative routine basis. Additionally, parents are understanding more and more that changing this narrative into one that makes the dental experience fun and important begins with them.
Dr. Kahng has discovered that by sharing educational content on social media she can help people understand dentistry in a positive light and change the way people understand the industry. A great example of this is how she explains that the frequency of cleanings can vary from person to person. While the general recommendation is to get a cleaning every six months, this may not be true for everyone. Everyone’s body chemistry is different, and the rate at which calculus can build up can vary. Some people may need to go in for cleanings more frequently than every six months, and going to the dentist routinely can prevent the need for a more intensive deep cleaning later on. Most importantly, she stresses that dental recommendations should be customized for the individual. Just like how certain skincare products work for someone’s skin and not others, dentistry should also be recommended in a customized way based on the conditions in the mouth, since no two people are the same.
Dr. Kahng uses her necessary approach as she builds her patient’s oral care programs. She believes that when a regime is customized just for them, patient’s take more accountability and interest in their oral health. She especially has seen that it is incredibly motivating for patients when they start seeing results at their checkups and cleanings. The preventative approach with consistency and the right products can really help to transform the initial dread of going to the dentist into a self care ritual that optimizes their health.
On top of making customized recommendations for patients, many dental offices are focusing on creating a more warm and welcoming environment to make going to the dentist a better experience Many have “comfort menus”, where patients can watch Netflix on the ceilings, get a warm blanket, choose aromatherapy, or even get a paraffin hand wax. Dentists are also taking to social media platforms such as TikTok to help connect with their audience and educate them in a more relatable and passion driven way. Dr. Kahng has had great success in creating educational content for her followers. Here is a perfect example where she shares underlying causes that can lead to bad breath.
Because of the passion that Dr. Kahng feels towards prioritizing dental health, she wants to share with her audience 3 simple tips that help empower patients with their oral health immediately.
ADDING DENTAL HEALTH INTO YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3:
1. Check the pH of your mouthwash.
Many over the counter mouth rinses are formulated with a very acidic pH which can weaken the enamel in the long term. Additionally, make sure it is not formulated with any alcohol as that can dry out the mouth and cause more decay.
2. Stick with toothpastes that do NOT claim to whiten teeth!
This one surprises a lot of people, but every toothpaste is formulated with a different Relative Dentin Abrasivity level. Teeth whitening toothpastes don’t actually whiten teeth from inside out, but work on the other end to keep the surfaces free of stains. For this reason, they tend to be on the higher level of the abrasivity scale. Although these are still considered safe to use according to the ADA, Dr. Kahng recommends toothpastes that are lower to medium on the scale to account for any over-brushing.
3. Use fluoride toothpaste and refrain from rinsing afterwards!
Just like you wouldn’t put LaMer skin moisturizer on your face and then immediately wash it off, let your fluoride toothpaste have time on your teeth to strengthen your enamel, improve the microhardness of your enamel, and prevent cavities. Our suggestion is to get into the habit of drinking water before you brush, just as you would wash your face before applying moisturizer– that way your fluoride toothpaste can work to its full effect.
All in All, your dental health should not be overlooked. These simple tips can be implemented immediately and help people feel more confident with the choices they make in their oral care routine. Dr. Kahng’s insights on the connection between oral health and overall well-being not only emphasize the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums, just as you do your hair and nails, but they can also help empower people to forge their own relationship with the dentist, instead of the one that was passed down by a guardian. By making dental care a priority in your self-care routine and following the tips mentioned above, you can prevent future dental problems, maintain good oral health, and boost your self-confidence. Don’t wait until a problem arises to take action; start taking care of your teeth and gums today.
If you’re interested in learning more from or about Dr. Joyce Kahng you can visit her website https://www.omdentalstudio.com/.
