Maintaining good oral health is important if you want to keep your teeth, gums and mouth intact. But a lot of people do not know the full facts about how to stay hygienic. Here are a handful of effective tips to practice optimal, at-home oral hygiene.
What Is Oral Hygiene?
Oral hygiene is the art and skill of keeping your teeth, gums and mouth clean and free of bacteria and disease-causing particles. It involves the practices of brushing your teeth every day, flossing in between your gums and using mouthwash. It is important is to keep your teeth white and to remove plaque and bad breath.
Inadequate oral hygiene occurs when the teeth are not brushed properly or every day. Dentists recommend that people brush their teeth twice a day or more if needed. Each time they brush, they should use toothpaste and a toothbrush and brush both their top and bottom rows of teeth for at least one minute. Using toothpaste is necessary to ensure that all of the disease-causing bacteria are removed from the mouth.
After brushing, there are additional steps that people can take for the most optimal oral hygiene. It is recommended that people floss once daily. Some people follow this rule while others floss only when they really need to. Flossing every day is mainly optional.
Using mouthwash every day is highly recommended to remove all of the bacteria within the mouth. This is optional. While some people use mouthwash, other people do not and still maintain healthy, white teeth. The mouthwash is also an effective product to use for getting rid of bad breath.
Additional Dental Tools
There are several dental tools that people can use in addition to the toothbrush. To clean in between teeth, some people use interdental brushes. To clean the teeth using high-pressure water, other people use oral irrigators.
Consequences of Poor Dental Hygiene
When proper dental hygiene is not carried out, the teeth and gums show signs of disease. The most obvious problem is halitosis or bad breath. This can be easily resolved by brushing the teeth regularly. Tooth decay is the most common dental problem that causes cavities. The bacteria eats away the teeth, leaving behind pits. If the bacteria reaches the root of the tooth, an infection occurs, which may hit a nerve and cause pain in the tooth, mouth or jaw.
Gingivitis is gum disease that causes pain, redness, swelling or inflammation. Severe cases of gingivitis can be even more dangerous and unsightly than severe cases of tooth decay. The two problems are interconnected in most cases. Taking care of your teeth means that your gums will be in good health too.
Periodontitis is a more severe form of gingivitis that involves bone loss. The problem can involve tooth decay, gum disease, tooth infections and tooth loss. Major symptoms are loose teeth and deep pockets within the gums.
Tips to Support and Improve Oral Hygiene at Home
1. Brush after meals
Sometimes, it's more effective to brush after every meal than to brush at random times of the day. Either way, it's important to brush at least twice a day.
2. Brush after consuming sugary foods or drinks
Disease- and cavity-causing bacteria thrive on the sugar found in unhealthy foods and drinks. It's recommended that you brush well soon after consuming sugar.
3. Brush the tongue regularly
The tongue contains bacteria that build up over time when not removed. Do not forget to brush your tongue regularly.
4. Note different stages of tooth decay
If your teeth are decaying, even after all of your best efforts, take note of the stages. Note any changes in the colour, shape or texture of the teeth. You can also take notes or take pictures of the changes.
5. Encourage good habits for the kids
If there are kids at home, encourage them to start their good practices early. They will pursue dental habits to last their entire lives.
Contact Us for Further Dental Assistance
There are good and bad signs of oral hygiene. Having white teeth is a good sign, but they do not guarantee that your mouth is entirely clean and free of harmful bacteria. When you have done everything you can but still need assistance, get in touch with the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre located in Ottawa. Contact us today for more information about our services and treatments.
