What is Oral Hygiene?
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and disease-free. It includes brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to your dentist for dental x-rays, examinations and cleanings.
Why is Oral Hygiene Important?
Oral hygiene is preventive care. This means that by taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can stop oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, bad breath and other problems before they start.
Oral health is also linked to whole body health. For example, if you have an infection in your mouth, your bloodstream can carry bacteria to other parts of your body, leading to other health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is an important part of long-term overall health.
Which Conditions Are Linked to Oral Health?
Research shows that gingivitis and periodontitis can contribute to certain health conditions, including
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Endocarditis (infection of the lining of your heart).
- Pneumonia.
- Pregnancy complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
Conversely, there are also some health conditions that can have a negative impact on your teeth and gums:
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or a loved one has any of the conditions listed above, ask your dentist how to promote and support overall health through proper oral hygiene.
What are the Symptoms of Poor Oral Hygiene?
Ağız sağlığı sorunlarına işaret edebilecek çeşitli uyarı işaretleri vardır. Kötü ağız hijyeninin en yaygın belirtileri şunlardır:
- Bleeding gums.
- Tooth decay.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Loose teeth.
- Gum recession.
- Mouth sores that do not go away.
- Toothache.
- Swelling in the jaw.
- Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth caused by certain bacteria or viruses.
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How Can I Improve My Oral Hygiene?
Excellent oral hygiene protects your teeth and gums and keeps your smile beautiful. Here are some general oral hygiene guidelines to keep your smile healthy:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. (Medium or hard bristles can damage your gums and enamel.) When brushing, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards your gums. This helps to sweep plaque and bacteria from the gum line. Make sure you brush all tooth surfaces, including the back and sides.
- Floss once a day. Brushing alone cannot reach the spaces between your teeth. You need dental floss to clean these areas. Take a piece of floss about 18 inches long. Wrap each end around your middle fingers. Using your thumb and index fingers, guide the floss between two teeth. Wrap the floss tightly in a C-shape around one tooth and clean it with about 10 up and down strokes. Then wrap the floss around the other tooth and repeat. Continue this process on all your teeth. If you have dexterity issues, you can also use interproximal brushes and dental picks to clean between your teeth. (A note about water floss: While water floss is great for removing large pieces of food and debris, it cannot remove biofilm from your tooth surfaces. So, if you use a water flosser, make sure you also use traditional dental floss).
- Brush your tongue. Your tongue holds bacteria like a sponge. Remember to brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. You can use your toothbrush for this. Or you can buy a tongue scraper from the oral health aisle.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash every day. Antibacterial mouthwash helps keep harmful mouth bacteria at bay. In addition to washing away food and debris, it also reduces plaque build-up. Make sure to choose an alcohol-free formula to prevent dry mouth.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Routine dental examinations and cleanings are essential for good oral health. Many people get good results with six monthly visits. However, if you are prone to cavities, gum disease or other oral health problems, you may need more frequent appointments.
- Avoid smoking and other tobacco products. Smoking is one of the leading causes of gum disease and oral cancer. It is best to avoid these products altogether. If you currently smoke and want to quit, tell your health care provider about treatment options that can help.
Remember, the best oral hygiene routine is one that you can follow consistently. Talk to your dentist about a personalized oral health regimen to meet your needs.
Which Oral Hygiene Products Should I Use?
Depending on your specific situation, your dentist can make personalized product recommendations. Ask your dentist which products are suitable for you.
What are the Advantages of Good Oral Hygiene?
Although your dentist can repair teeth damaged by decay or gum disease, it is always preferable to stop problems before they start. This is where good oral hygiene comes in. Practicing good oral hygiene offers a wide range of benefits, including
- Healthier teeth and gums.
- A beautiful smile.
- Fresher breath.
- Reduced need for dental work such as fillings, crowns, bridges, implants or dentures.
- Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.
- Reduced risk of oral cancer.
Also, preventive dental care is more affordable than restorative or emergency dental care. So good oral hygiene can save you time, worry and money in the long run.