Since childhood, we are trained to take particular care of our teeth and gums, and brushing our teeth becomes a regular part of our morning ritual. In addition to the numerous dental health and hygiene campaigns in schools, you will surely see at least one oral hygiene product advertisement when flipping through the television channels.
Let us discuss why your dental health is so important and a few ways to take care of it.
Why is it Important?
Dental hygiene is a crucial but often-ignored component that can harm a person’s health. Your mouth is teeming with germs, most of which are harmless, like other parts of the body. However, some of these bacteria can spread disease as your mouth serves as the entrance to your digestive and respiratory systems.
Bacteria are often kept in check by the body’s natural defences and proper oral hygiene practises like daily brushing and flossing. But without good dental hygiene, bacteria may build up to the point where they cause oral infections including tooth decay and gum disease.
In addition to serious health issues, neglecting your dental hygiene can result in bleeding gums, bad breath, yellowing teeth, and brain freeze. Not to mention the terrible impression poor dental and oral hygiene can give others.
It would be best if you enhanced your family dental care to prevent all of these terrible possibilities, which can be done by leading a healthier and more disciplined lifestyle. Tooth care procedures can be expensive, so we’ve put together seven tips to protect your finances while enhancing your dental health.
Seven Simple Methods
- Brush your teeth before bed
The majority of people are aware that one of the most crucial habits for removing plaque and bacteria and maintaining clean teeth is brushing twice a day. However, brushing might only be efficient if people employ the right method.
Brushing should be done in small, circular motions with attention paid to the front, back, and top of each tooth. It takes two to three minutes to complete this. Avoid using back-and-forth sawing motions. Too-vigorous brushing or using a toothbrush with a rough bristle might harm the gums and tooth enamel. Gum erosion, tooth discomfort, and irreversible damage to the protective enamel on teeth are possible side effects.
- Flossing
Plaque and bacteria between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t get to them, can be removed using flossing. By clearing away debris and food that has become stuck between the teeth, it can also help avoid foul breath. The ADA still advises flossing despite the absence of extensive research to support its benefits. Additionally, the CDC recommends that people floss their teeth.
The majority of dental specialists advise carefully guiding the floss all the way to the gum line before embracing the tooth’s side with up-and-down motions. It’s vital to avoid snapping the floss up and down between the teeth, as this can hurt and can lessen how well it removes plaque.
- Stay Hydrated
One of the simplest and most effective ways to help prevent cavities is to drink water that contains fluoride, which is referred to as “nature’s cavity fighter.” Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth when it is present in drinking water at the proper concentration. Typically, the tap water in your community contains fluoride. Since it removes food scraps and other debris that cavity-causing bacteria love to ingest, water is also a wonderful mouthwash.
Your mouth’s cavity-causing bacteria enjoy eating sugar and producing acid, which erodes the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. Additionally, it lessens the acidity of the mouth bacteria’s acids. On the other hand, consuming juice, soda, or sports drinks may result in the retention of extra sugar.
- Follow a healthy diet
Sugar consumption can cause cavities. Studies are emphasising the important part sugar plays in bad dental health results. Candy and pastries are typical offenders, but many processed meals also include added sugar. The WHO advises people to keep their daily sugar intake under 10%. Additionally, according to experts, starchy foods like crackers, bread, chips, and pasta might contribute to tooth decay. According to the ADA, these meals stay in the mouth for a long time and decompose into simple sugars, which acid-producing bacteria feed on. Tooth decay may result from this acid.
The ADA advises consuming lots of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products without added sugar in place of starchy foods.
- Strengthen your teeth
Instead of slicing fresh fruits and vegetables into little pieces and then consuming them, it is advised to bite them. You strengthen your jaw, teeth, and gums by biting into them. Additionally, chewing increases saliva production, which strengthens teeth, helps remove food debris, and lowers the levels of acid that cause tooth decay in the mouth.
The stronger your teeth, the less visits which you need to pay to the dentist. There are calcium-rich foods that support healthy teeth and bones, including low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified soy beverages, tofu, canned salmon, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables.
- Stop smoking
Dental health issues are significantly exacerbated by smoking. Nicotine, which is present in cigarettes and cigars, weakens the enamel of your teeth and causes gum disease, tooth discoloration, and poor smell. Smoking weakens the immune system of the body, making it more challenging for the body to recover tissues, including those in the mouth. The CDC lists smoking as a risk factor for gum disease, and the ADA cautions smokers that their body may heal slowly following dental work.
Smoking alters the way the mouth looks by causing the teeth and tongue to yellow and can make breath smell terrible.
- Visit a dentist
According to experts, every six months, people should have a checkup at the dentist. A hygienist will clean the teeth and get rid of tartar and plaque during a standard dental checkup. The dentist will look for visible indications of oral health problems such as mouth cancer, gum disease, cavities, and other conditions. Additionally, they could occasionally use dental X-rays to look for cavities.
According to the findings of a recent study, children and teenagers should visit the dentist every six months to help avoid cavities. Adults who regularly practise good oral hygiene and have a low risk of oral health issues might be able to visit the dentist less frequently.
Conclusion
Maintaining good dental hygiene from childhood through adulthood can aid in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. People can prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by brushing and flossing regularly, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and scheduling routine dental appointments. It might also be good for their general healthStick to these seven tips religiously to maintain proper oral hygiene and establish a regular schedule.
