Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, but did you know it's also integral to your overall health and wellness?

Teeth play a critical role in our daily lives, helping us chew and digest food, speak clearly, and give our face its shape. A healthy smile can be a huge confidence booster. But beyond just looks, teeth are an essential part of the human body that must be looked after.

Cleaning your teeth and gums

Brush your teeth twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and use gentle circular motions to cover all surfaces: outside, inside, chewing surfaces, gumline, and tongue. Spit out the toothpaste but don't rinse to allow fluoride to protect your teeth longer.

Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth where your toothbrush can't reach.

What dental cleaning products should you use?

Toothbrush types

• Avoid 'medium' and 'hard' toothbrushes which can scrub away your gums and cut grooves into your teeth. Use a soft bristle brush instead.
• Toothbrush heads have different sizes. Use a brush that fits your mouth so you can reach your back molars easily.
• Electric toothbrushes are helpful for children, older adults, and those with difficulties brushing.
• Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or sooner if the bristles splay.

Toothpaste

• Always use fluoride toothpaste.
• Specialised toothpastes are good for addressing specific needs like tartar control or sensitive teeth. Whitening toothpaste can remove staining, but is not strong enough to change the natural shade of your teeth.

Floss

• Dental floss is the best way to clean between your teeth, just remember to use a fresh section of floss for each tooth.
• Interdental brushes are helpful for cleaning under braces or in larger gaps.

Mouthwash

• While not essential if you brush and floss regularly, mouthwash can help with bad breath, ulcers, or post-surgery recovery. Consult your dentist for recommendations.

How to keep your teeth healthy

Foods to avoid

What you eat affects your dental and oral health. Some foods and drinks can harm your teeth and gums and should be consumed in moderation.

• Citrus fruits: Highly acidic and can erode tooth enamel if consumed frequently.
• Sticky foods: Foods like chewy candy and dried fruit can stick to teeth, exposing the enamel to sugars and bacteria.
• Coffee and tea: Caffeine in coffee and tea can dry out the mouth, promote bad breath and bacteria growth. It can also cause staining and discoloration.
• Sugar: It is how often you have sugar in your diet that causes problems. It takes up to an hour for your mouth to neutralise the acid created by sugar. It’s important to distance time between acid attacks by having sugary foods and drinks just at mealtimes.

Drink water

Drinking water after meals helps rinse away residue, acid, sugar, and bacteria from your teeth. Drinking tap water can also act as a constant repair kit for your teeth. Half of New Zealand communities have Government-mandated fluoride to provide extra protection against tooth decay.

Healthy habits

Avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption is crucial for maintaining oral health. Smoking and vaping increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancers. It also causes bad breath, stained teeth, and a loss of taste. Alcohol can dry out the mouth, promote bacterial growth, and stain teeth.

When to see the dentist

Adults should visit the dentist at least once a year for a check up and clean. However, nib’s 2024 Health Check research found that of those Kiwi’s surveyed, 63% were not up to date or had never received a dental check.

Regular dental checks allow your dentist to detect any problems in the early, before they become more severe.

Preventive measures to avoid dental issues

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can detect issues early, saving you from paying hefty dental bills on oral surgeries and treatments. Dentists can apply fluoride varnish to resist decay and use fissure sealants to protect at-risk teeth.

Top tip: Chewing sugar-free gum can help prevent dental problems by boosting saliva production, neutralising acids and cleaning away food particles - helping to clean your teeth as you chew!

Easing the cost of dentist visits

If a dental issue does pop up, the cost of dental treatments in New Zealand can be costly - ranging from approximately $95-$3200. Having health insurance that covers dental expenses can help ease these costs.

nib’s Premium Everyday health insurance policy covers 80% of dental treatments up to an annual limit of $1000. Coverage for general and major dental treatments begins after a specified period of continuous cover.

Take the first steps towards healthy teeth by getting a dental insurance quote from nib today.