We are all aware of the well-known adage ‘Health is Wealth’. Being healthy and fit is what gives us joy and enables us to live life to the fullest. Lately, there is an increased focus on health awareness. Though people are well cautious in choosing a healthy lifestyle, dental hygiene tends to take a backseat. The importance of oral hygiene is often ignored and not given its due. Well, we must acknowledge that Oral hygiene plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of an individual as it is related to general health following some simple dental hygiene tips will enhance Oral health.
Let’s take a look at the effects of poor Oral hygiene:
- Oral issues such as mouth lesions, ulcers might lead to the diagnosis of many systemic and nutritional diseases.
- Teeth and other parts of the oral cavity such as gums might pose a threat to the overall health of an individual.
- Poor dental hygiene might lead to the risk of health concerns like diabetes, heart disorders and others.
- Lack of oral cleanliness transforms minor dental concerns into significant oral health problems.
Just a few dental hygiene tips in our everyday life to keep your oral health in check:
1. Proper Brushing
A simple dental hygiene tip for good oral health is brushing the teeth properly which is the primary step of an oral care routine.
Method:
- The proposed brushing technique is to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and delicately move the brush back and forth in short strokes. Make sure to clean all the surfaces of the teeth, i.e., inner, outer and chewing surfaces.
- Brush twice a day for two minutes, as recommended – One of the most neglected advise regarding oral care is brushing twice a day. Brushing before bedtime is as important as the morning routine as it helps remove the deposits accumulate during the whole day.
Some tips on using your toothbrush:
- Avoid vigorous haphazard movements and use of excessive pressure on teeth.
- Use a soft-bristled brush that is ‘just right’ for your mouth.
- Discard the toothbrush after three months of use.
- Do not use a toothbrush with frayed bristles.
- It is essential to brush regularly adopting the appropriate mechanism so that the oral cavity is not damaged and ensures proper cleaning.
2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Another dental hygiene tip to add on with proper brushing is the use of fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound which is helpful for oral health. It helps to strengthen teeth and protects them from cavities, aids in remineralisation of teeth and reverses the signs of early tooth decay.
Thus, brushing twice a day gently with a fluoride toothpaste provides clean teeth and strengthens them. One can check out on fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.
3. Floss Regularly
Flossing is the next dental hygiene tip which most of us are unaware of that provides that edge to an oral care routine. Not all food particles are easy enough to get dislodged while brushing. Some remain trapped betwixt the teeth and might lead to cavities and gum problems, which is why flossing is essential.
It provides effective cleaning as it lifts and removes the plaque and food from the areas in between the teeth. Cleaning the interdental areas is proven to help remove debris wedged on either side of the teeth that might lead to plaque buildup.
One important thing to note is that flossing requires the precise technique. Thus, make sure to ask your dentist how to use such interdental cleaners properly.
4. Tongue Hygiene
When it comes to dental hygiene tips, one must not ignore tongue cleaning as it helps ward-off oral issues, thus needs to be a part of the daily oral care regimen.
Bacteria tend to accumulate on various parts of the oral cavity such as surfaces of the teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue as well. Brushing the tongue helps in eradicating these bacteria from the tongue surface and assist eliminate bad breath or halitosis problems. Therefore, cleaning the tongue is as important as brushing and flossing. So, make it a habit to clean your tongue mildly while brushing.
5. Use Mouthwashes
Mouthwashes or oral rinses come as handy helpers to promote oral care. An oral care adjunct product most commonly used for bad breath is helpful in a lot of other ways:
- Prevent the buildup of plaque in the oral cavity
- Rinse out any loose food particles from the mouth
- Prevent oral malodour by fighting germs
- Freshens breath
Mouthwashes that contain fluoride also help ward off the formation of tooth cavities. They come in a variety of breath-freshening flavours to keep bad breath in check.
6. Eat Right
Diet, not only plays a vital role in general health but is also crucial for oral health. Tooth decay is one of the most common oral problems globally and the definite reason for this is the eating habits.
- Intake of items such as sugary sweets & foods, colas and drinks lead to the risk of tooth decay.
- Consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol, and acidic foods lead to enamel erosion. Hence, the use of such foods should also be limited. One might replace such drinks with milk, yoghurt, or water.
- Ready-to-eat foods also take a toll on teeth. Fresh, crunchy, fibrous foods are the best choice for a healthy set of teeth.
- Eating a balanced diet containing whole grains, fruits, calcium-containing foods is very important to maintain dental hygiene.
7. Drink Enough Water
Drinking plenty of water is one of the most simple dental hygiene tips anyone can follow. Drink water after every meal or beverages, if possible fluoridated, to wash away the sugar and acids.
8. Avoid Tobacco
Smoking or chewing tobacco is very harmful to oral health. The use of Tobacco not only leads to tooth discolouration but is also related to cancerous and pre-cancerous oral conditions, increased periodontal problems, and impaired wound healing. Also, excess alcohol intake and smoking together increases the risk of oral cancer. Therefore, it is required to quit tobacco, in any form to safeguard your oral health.
9. Limit Sweetened Snacks
While we snack on starchy or sugary food, the bacteria start acting on it and increase the acidity of the mouth, leading to acid attacks on the tooth and might cause oral cavities. Repeated snacking might be responsible for repeated acid attacks, consequently deteriorating oral health.
10. Regular Dental Check-ups
Often we ignore visiting a dentist until a dental issue or pain arises. In some instances, this habit paves the way for deterioration of oral condition to the extent that the damage is not reversible.
So, oral health check-ups are imperative to ensure that there are no potential oral problems. Reach out to a dentist for regular visits and even at the slightest discomfort.
A dentist can figure out oral health concerns which often are not visible to the naked eye. Aim for prevention rather than cure!
The above dental hygiene tips are simple yet effective measures one can observe to foster oral well-being. In times where oral diseases are so common, these tips might benefit well.
Inculcating dental hygiene habits early in life helps throughout the lifetime of an individual. As a result, educating the children on oral hygiene habits from the start is essential.
While taking care of the oral health of the kids, ensure proper supervision.
A few of the dental hygiene tips for children and toddlers are:
– Children below six years should not swallow fluoride mouth rinse or toothpaste as it might hinder tooth development
– Provide your children with fluoride treatments or oral fluoride supplements
– Let them chew sugarless gums
– Sucking on fingers, thumbs or pacifiers for a prolonged time might cause alignment issues, so need to be monitored. Visit a dentist if the habits persist after four years of age
Oral care is critical to every individual. Follow the above said dental hygiene tips to make your smile glow each day!
Remember, TEETH are the only body part that can not repair themselves. Astonished? Think about how predominant it is to pay attention to your pearls…!!!
