Good oral hygiene comes with many benefits. You might have been learning about them since you were a child but not practicing them as you should.
Brushing our teeth should be an important part of our daily routine for fresh breath and many other benefits.
One of the ways to prevent gum disease is by engaging in good oral hygiene. According to a study by the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease affects about 50% of American adults.
Eradicating periodontal disease due to lack of good oral hygiene becomes vital since it’s been linked to other diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
There are many benefits of good oral hygiene, but some of them are:
- Reduces the chance of cavities and tooth fillings.
- Reduces the likelihood of tooth decay.
- It is less expensive than seeing a dentist when you have tooth decay or other tooth problems.
- It reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cancer and stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, heart attack, and heart disease.
- Less risk of oral surgery and root canals.
- Better gum health, healthier oral health, and general well-being.
Tips for Good Oral Hygiene and Healthy Smile
Many people are not aware that billions of bacteria are living inside their mouths. When these bacteria become comfortable in your mouth, they will begin to reproduce, build up as plaque and cause gingivitis and tooth decay, which can result in gum disease.
For the best oral health and a healthy smile, you should always practice good oral hygiene every day.
The following are some vital tips for good oral hygiene:
Proper Brushing, Flossing, and Mouth Rinse
Even though you brush every day, you might be doing it the wrong way. These tips on how to brush and floss properly will help you.
Brushing
The recommended brushing method include:
- Moving your brush back and forth in a gentle fashion and tooth-wide strokes.
- Putting your toothbrush at a 45° angle against your gums.
- Brushing the inner tooth and outer tooth parts.
- Using your toothbrush tips to clean your front teeth’ inner part in a gentle upward and downward stroke manner.
Flossing
- Cut out 18 inches of floss and wrap it tightly around the middle fingers of both hands.
- Hold it firmly between your forefingers and thumbs.
- Rub it gently, guide the floss in-between each tooth, and let it form a C-shape against the tooth nearby when it gets to the gum line.
- Slide the floss gently in the space between the tooth and gum and take it back towards the contact point between the teeth. Then, move the floss in an upward or downward fashion to conform the floss to your tooth’s shape.
- Firmly hold the floss against your tooth.
- Rub your tooth sides by taking the floss away from your gum in an upward and downward motion.
- Repeat the method for all your teeth
Mouth Rinse
Using mouthwash is another way to maintain good oral hygiene and further improve your dental health.
Rinsing your mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth, protecting you from gum disease and other types of diseases that could affect the teeth.
A mouthwash containing fluoride also helps keep your teeth strong and healthy, thereby reducing the risk of tooth decay. Your dentist can recommend the best mouthwash for you. Contact them for advice.
Reduce your daily intake of sweetened drinks. Use a straw to limit the contact between your teeth and sweetened beverages. It would help if you also replaced sugary drinks with yogurt, water, or milk to achieve good oral health.
Store Your Toothbrush Properly
After using your toothbrush, ensure that it dries up by placing it in an upright position. Doing this will help prevent bacterial growth.
Generally, you can achieve good oral hygiene by drinking enough water, brushing after meals, visiting your dentist regularly, using antimicrobial mouthwash, flossing every day, and twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
Eating healthy meals and minimizing your intake of starchy and sugary foods prevent these bacteria from thriving in your mouth.
