Oral hygiene is the practice of regularly brushing teeth and flossing to prevent dental disease. It also includes seeing the dentist on a regular basis to remove plaque and check for any potential problems.
Good oral health not only creates beautiful smiles, but it’s also connected to whole-body wellness. Learn the best practices and must-have products for healthy teeth and gums.
Floss Daily
Flossing removes plaque and food debris from the tight spaces between your teeth. A toothbrush cannot reach these areas and they are where harmful bacteria collects all day long. Using dental floss daily keeps these areas clean and prevents periodontal disease.
To floss, break off a piece about 18 inches long. Wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the thumb of your other hand, leaving a strand in between. Hold the strand between your thumb and index finger and slide it between two adjacent teeth. Move the strand gently up and down and curving it, slip it under the gum of the side next to one tooth. Repeat with a fresh section of dental floss between each pair of adjacent teeth until all your teeth have been cleaned.
Experts believe that there is a link between your oral health and your overall health. We recommend that you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day and that you incorporate flossing into your routine as well.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting the dentist is the best way to prevent and treat oral health issues. The dentist has studied for years to be qualified to provide guidance on the maintenance of a healthy mouth.
Dental visits are not just to catch problems in the later stages, they can also prevent serious health complications like heart disease and diabetes. A regular visit to the dentist includes a cleaning, which removes hardened plaque from the teeth and gum line. This is followed by an oral examination which looks for signs of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health issues.
Some factors will influence the frequency of your dental appointments, such as genetics and lifestyle. For example, if you have a family history of gum disease or diabetes, then your visits will need to be more frequent than for someone who does not have these risk factors.
Other lifestyle factors can include whether you smoke or have any medical conditions, which may affect your gum and oral health. Finally, if you have any warning signs of oral health issues, such as pain, bleeding gums, bad breath or tooth sensitivity, it is a good idea to book a consultation with your dentist immediately to discuss treatment options.