Ensuring dental hygiene and daily oral care are crucial for your teeth, mouth, and gums. It helps avoid oral complications such as bad breath, tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis which may eventually cause tooth loss or irreversible gum damage.
Sadly, many individuals underestimate the significance of dental hygiene, unaware that poor oral hygiene threatens their overall health. Therefore, if you aim to retain your natural teeth and maintain a healthy body into your golden years, adopting these oral health habits can help inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria that can cause problems beyond your teeth.
Essential Dental Care and Hygiene Practices
- Brush your teeth after each meal, or at the very least, every morning and night if not feasible. Utilize a soft toothbrush and gently brush around your teeth and gums in a circular motion. Ensure your entire mouth, including the tongue, gets brushed to eliminate residues on your tooth surface, reducing plaque and mouth odor.
- Change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months to guarantee effective teeth cleaning.
- Apply toothpaste enriched with calcium and fluoride, and consider gargling a fluoride mouthwash afterward. These strengthen your tooth enamel and defend against tooth decay.
- Use mouthwash if you're unable to brush your teeth post-meal.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day, ideally in the evening. This helps eliminate food particles and plaque between your teeth that a toothbrush can't reach, enhancing your oral health.
- Opt for a healthy balanced diet over unhealthy foods, promoting strong teeth. Consume high fiber food and other nutrients necessary for oral health like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus to prevent tooth decay.
Examples include fatty fish that lowers the risk of tooth decay and green leafy vegetables that are prebiotic and provide a good source of food for healthy bacteria. Dark leafy vegetables are also rich in minerals that help in teeth mineralization, strengthening the enamel.
Conversely, avoid highly acidic and processed foods as they lack essential nutrients. Acidic fruits, coffee, soda, and tea can damage your tooth enamel and could lead to gum inflammation, tooth decay, and disruption of your oral health.
Avoid crackers as they convert into sugar that oral bacteria can feed on. Dried fruits lack water and become caramelized.
- Include Vitamins A and C in your daily diet to promote healthy gums and prevent gum diseases. Adequate amounts of citrus fruits, dairy products, and eggs also contribute to good oral health.
- Hydrate frequently, especially after meals, and eat chewy fruits and vegetables. Hydration is key to maintaining a healthy body and mouth. It helps rinse away food particles and neutralizes the harmful effects of acidic and sticky foods and drinks in your mouth. Water stimulates saliva production, which has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It keeps your mouth clean by washing off residues and acids produced by bacteria.
- Refrain from smoking.
- Schedule professional dental check-ups and cleaning every six months. This allows your dentist to inspect your teeth and identify and treat any dental issues early on, preventing costly and painful treatments if the dental issue worsens.
Signs of Good Dental Hygiene And Care
During regular check-ups, your dentist and hygienist can provide accurate feedback on the overall health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. In between dental visits, you can assess your oral health with the following signs:
- Absence of persistent bad breath.
- Your gums are consistently healthy and pink.
- Your gums do not bleed or feel sensitive during brushing or flossing.
- Your teeth are clean, free from decay, cavities, plaque, and tartar.
- Your teeth appear clean and bright.
By adhering to these tips, you can enjoy the perks of having a healthy mouth, gums, and teeth, and confidently wear your best smile. More importantly, it spares you from oral health problems and related health complications. Thus, remember to always be conscious of your oral health. You'll be thankful for it in the long run.
