How do you Maintain Oral Health?

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How do you Maintain Oral Health?

Oral health affects our ability to smile, speak, eat and show emotions. It also impact on our self- esteem and performances.

Oral health is a part of your overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities, gum disease and has also been linked to heart diseases, cancer and diabetes.

Therefore, it is important to take care of your teeth and mouth since from childhood. If you don’t, you could have problem with your teeth and gums -like cavities or even tooth loss.

Causes of Dental and Oral Diseases

In the oral cavity there are plethora of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Some of them belong there, normal flora of your mouth. Some bacteria produce acidic secretions in oral cavity by fermentation and high sugar intake. This acid dissolves tooth enamel that lead to dental cavities.

Main causes that hamper the Oral condition are

  • Smoking
  • poor brushing habits
  • frequently snacking on sugary foods and drinks
  • diabetes
  • family history
  • hormonal changes
  • certain medicines that cause xerostomia (dry mouth )

How to Keep your Teeth and Mouth Healthy:

  • Brush your teeth daily
  • Inter dental brushing, floss or another method that cleans in between the teeth.
  • limit sugary snacks
  • Eat fruits and vegetables.
  • Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
  • Pay visit to dentist or oral health professional frequently.

Dental Care Basics

Good oral hygiene results in healthy oral cavity.

This means:

  • teeth are free of debris and clean
  • gums are pink and  do  not bleed when you brush and floss
  • bad breath is not a constant problem

1. Proper Brushing Techniques

A proper brushing technique is the first step to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It also minimizes the risk of tooth decay and gums disease.

Start with outer and inner surface, tilt the brush at a 45 degree angle against the gum line. Brushing should be in circular motion or sweep away from the gingiva. Make sure you reach your back teeth.

Moving on to chewing surface .Hold the brush flat and gently brush the outside ,inside and chewing surface of each tooth using short back and forth strokes.

Once you get to the inner surfaces of you front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use up and down stokes.

Gently brushing your tongue to remove bacteria and plaque .

Practicing Proper brushing technique, every day will help to make you feel like second nature. It is one of the easiest things you can do to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

KEEP YOUR EQUIPMENT CLEAN: Always rinse toothbrush with water before and after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position and allow it to air – dry until using it again.

Try to keep it separate from other toothbrushes in the same holder to prevent contamination.

KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH:

Invest in a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or if bristles become irregular.

2. Proper Flossing Techniques

  • Use almost 18 inches of floss and you have to use a clean piece of floss on each tooth in the cleaning process.
  • Use the floss into a C-shape as you slide it up and down along the side of each tooth. Don’t forget to floss the back side of your teeth on the both left and right of the upper and lower teeth.

Proper brushing and flossing technique as a part of your daily oral care routine are the most important components to keep your teeth plaque free and protect your teeth and gums.

Take one tooth at a time: slide the floss into the space between your gums and tooth. Use the floss gently to the side of the tooth in an up and down motion.

Keep it up: If you find it hard to handle floss, use an interdental cleaner such as tiny brush, dental pick, and water floss or silicone plaque remover.

3. Sugar Free Smiles Last Longer

Plethora of sugary products lead to dental cavity. Regular brushing, floss and mouth wash right after meal and snacks, can help in prevention of teeth from caries. Frequently taking junk food and sticky food also increase the chances of dental and gum problems.

  • Choose healthy foods like nuts, low fat yogurt and vegetables.
  • Fresh fruits contain vitamin that support body and teeth.
  • Drink lots of water
  • Chew Sugar free chewing gum after meals to reduce the acid production that cause cavities.
  • A balanced diet should be taken

Avoid:

  • Smoking, tea and coffee stain the teeth, bad breath and increase the risk of gum diseases.
  • Sweets, chocolate, cake and biscuits.
  • Sugary drinks & soft drinks
  • buns ,pastries and fruit pies
  • sponge puddings and other puddings
  • sticky food

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: Mostly experts recommends a dental check up every six months. If have any gingival or teeth problem then should have to visit more. During your routine check-up, dentist removes plaque and calculus that you cannot remove it by yourself. Dentist also examines for any signs of decay or gingival problem.

In regular dental check up dentist also spot:

  • early of oral cancer
  • any wear and tear tooth grinding
  • Signs of gum disease
  • Interaction with medication