Personal hygiene, which includes oral hygiene and dental care, plays a vital role in every individual. Oral hygiene is the process of keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums clean to prevent tooth and gum diseases such as cavities, gingivitis, periodontal and halitosis disease. Proper hygiene can ward off severe diseases, and also help you achieve optimal health condition as manifested in whiter teeth, pink gums, and fresher breath. Even though a good dentist can work wonders, oral hygiene begins at home. Here are a few helpful tips to improve your daily routines on healthy oral care.
Brushing and flossing
The first and most significant hygiene practice is cleaning your teeth regularly. Brushing your teeth on a daily basis is a practical preventive care as it helps to remove plaque and to hinder the formation of tartar. Always brush your teeth after every meal and before bedtime. Brush two times daily and frequently. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride when brushing, to help prevent cavities. Remember to brush your tongue as well, to get rid of mouth-borne bacteria. Use a soft head toothbrush to avoid causing irritation of the enamel.
Another vital oral hygiene practice is to floss. Flossing each time after brushing helps to remove food debris and plaque stuck in your teeth, and also helps with breath. Floss inner areas of your teeth, and ensure you don’t hurt the gums while flossing. You may ask your dentist if you should use dental tap or dental floss. A mouthwash can also help with oral health and help you achieve fresher breath. Make it a habit to gargle after every meal.
Healthy diet
Oral hygiene can be influenced by diet choices and lifestyle. A good diet is necessary for healthy teeth and gums and for overall health. Avoid foods with high concentration of sugar such sweetened teas, soda, and fruit juices. Drinking a lot of water is very important for oral hygiene. Fresh fruits such as apples and also vegetables, grains and chicken can be good for healthy oral hygiene. Acidic foods and drink should be avoided as they can promote enamel wear and tooth decay. Avoid drinking too much red wine, tea and coffee, as they cause teeth staining.
Long term dental care
There are good long-term dental care practices that can prevent frequent dentist visits, gum diseases, yellowing teeth, and awful breath. Replace your toothbrush every 2 months to facilitate proper cleaning. Stop smoking and chewing tobacco. Smoking can bring various effects to your body and oral healthy. Massage your gums after cleaning your teeth to stimulate flow of blood to the gums and enhance gum health. If you have dentures and retainers, it is important to properly clean them, as it is to clean your teeth. Children should start visiting a dentist on a regular basis to help identify any potential problems and begin a lifetime of good oral care.
Visiting the dentist regularly
Regardless of how well you care for your teeth at home, it’s still important to visit the dentist regularly. Regular dental checkup is necessary for optimum oral care and hygiene. Get teeth checkups and cleanings at the dentist every six months. Your dentist or oral hygienist has special skills and instruments to clean your teeth more thoroughly and also provide you with important oral care tips. It is very important to have a qualified dentist and also to have good dental insurance that covers your dental treatments.
Practicing good oral health can aid in your overall wellbeing. These are just a few of the things that can help you maintain good oral hygiene, have a dazzling smile and most importantly, stay healthy.
