Oral hygiene is commonly known as the process of maintaining your mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy all at the same time to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Good oral hygiene includes brushing the teeth, flossing, cleaning the tongue, and visiting your dentist frequently.
Brushing the teeth regularly is a good preventive care, because it helps remove plaque and prevent the formation of tartar. When brushing, remember that it must be performed with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least three times a day, and if possible, after every meal and snack. An effective brushing is one that cleans each outer tooth surface, inner tooth surface, and the flat chewing surfaces of the back teeth. More so, brushing the tongue along with the teeth is very important, as it can remove bacteria and fungi that can lead to serious dental problems and bad breath. Finally, keep in mind that the toothbrush also wears out and must be replaced after three months of constant use.
Habitual brushing is no doubt an important part of oral hygiene, but of course, this can’t be enough as there are some areas of the mouth that a regular toothbrush cannot reach. That is the reason why flossing is best recommended, as it can reach between the teeth and clean all areas of the teeth. At the same time, it also helps to strengthen the gums. One good alternative to flossing is called interdental brushes. Several oral health specialists promote interdental brushing because it is gentler on the gums.
An oral irrigator, which uses a jet stream of water to clean the mouth, is another possible tool when it comes in practicing oral hygiene. Though commonly used by those who cannot floss – like people with braces – an oral irrigator can also be a functional tool for anyone, because it can reach deeper under the gumline than either brushing or flossing does. Of course, regular use of mouthwash and dental chewing gums can also help.
It has been said that practicing oral hygiene can also be influenced by lifestyle and diet choices. This is true. In fact, both smoking and chewing tobacco are proven to be really damaging and harmful to oral health. Some foods can be detrimental too, like those that are high in sugar, especially sucrose or table sugar, as it contributes to the formation of cavities. Common acidic foods such as soda, fruit juices and vinegar can also harm the tooth enamel and can also contribute to the formation of cavities. So, instead of taking these foods, start eating foods that promote good oral hygiene such as dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, green tea, and water to attain a mouth that looks and smells healthy.
And finally, keeping oral hygiene has effects for the entire body. With proper brushing and flossing, no doubt oral hygiene may be maintained. Moreover, possible oral health problems such as bacterial pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and complications of diabetes may be avoided.
Tags: chewing gums, fluoride toothpaste, functional tool, good oral hygiene, gum disease, least three times, oral irrigator, teeth and gums, tooth decay, tooth surface