Oral Hygiene l Daily Health Idea

Oral Hygiene

Oral Hygiene  l Daily Health Idea

Overview

Good oral health helps you enjoy life. It allows you to: speak clearly; Chew, and swallow, the taste of delicious and nutritious food. And explicit your emotions through facial expressions including smiling.

If you defend your oral fitness with good oral hygiene practices (brushing and flossing), the percentages are in your favor that you may preserve your teeth for a life-time.

 

Brush Your Teeth

Removing plaque, a sticky, colorless movie of bacteria, is critical to retaining your tooth healthful. If plaque builds up, it is able to purpose teeth decay and gum sickness.

Even enamel that have been formerly crammed are liable to teeth decay. Plaque can build up under a cracked filling and cause new decay. And if you have areas in your mouth where your gums have pulled away from your teeth (called gum recession), exposed tooth roots can also rot.

Plaque is hard to see. If you stain it then you can see it more easily. After brushing your teeth, chew on "dissolving tablets" (which you can buy at the drugstore), or brush with a special disclosing toothpaste. The color will show you where plaque is still present, and you can brush those areas again to remove it. (Parents – revealing tablets to teach children how to brush their teeth can also be very helpful!)

Brush Tips:

Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride protects teeth from tooth decay. It prevents decay by strengthening the tooth's hard outer surface, called enamel.

Turn the bristles toward the gums, so they clean between the gums and the teeth.

Brush gently using small, circular motions. Do not rub back and forth vigorously.

Brush all sides of each tooth.

Brush your tongue.

Conclusion:

Proper oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining good dental health and preventing issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day allows us to effectively remove plaque and food particles from all tooth surfaces. With diligent home care, regular dental checkups, and a nutritious diet low in sugars, most people can expect to keep their natural teeth for life.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How long should I brush my teeth for?

A: The general recommendation is to brush for two minutes, twice per day - once in the morning and once before bed. Brushing thoroughly helps clean all tooth surfaces.

Q: Can I skip flossing?

A: No, it's not recommended to skip flossing. Flossing is important for cleaning between teeth and under gumlines where a toothbrush can't reach. This helps prevent buildup of plaque and gingivitis.

Q: When should I start brushing my child's teeth?

A: You should start cleaning your baby's gums and teeth as soon as they start to erupt, typically around 6 months of age. Start brushing twice per day once all primary/baby teeth have erupted.

Q: How important is a fluoride toothpaste?

A: Using a fluoride toothpaste is very important for strong, cavity-resistant teeth. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce decay. It's recommended to use a toothpaste containing at least 1000ppm fluoride.