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Oral hygiene is the practice that keeps the oral cavity clean and prevents the onset and progression of common problems like: – Dental caries – Gingivitis – Periodontitis – Halitosis
The reasons for poor dental care are: – Lack of awareness of dental care – Deleterious habits like tobacco chewing, smoking, and paan – Improper diet and lifestyle – Stress – Systemic diseases associated with oral health – Lack of community-based programs (community water fluoridation, school water fluoridation)
– Not selecting a proper toothbrush: Use a toothbrush that has soft bristles specially designed to prevent pressure on gums – Wrong angulation of the bristles: Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste – Incorrect pressure while brushing: People think that they need to brush hard to remove plaque from teeth, but it is not true. Applying too much pressure while brushing will hurt your gums and teeth. Gently brush your teeth without hurting your gums
Flossing: Periodontal disease begins in the interdental areas. Flossing helps clean the narrow spaces that the toothbrush cannot access. This involves passing a thread-like material in between the teeth. Mouthwash: Mouthwash can go where toothbrushes and floss can’t; to rid your mouth of the same debris that irritates the gum line and causes Gingivitis. It prevents plaque accumulation and it also kills harmful bacteria. Tongue Scraper: After brushing, bacteria can remain on the tongue. Brush or scrape your tongue as part of your daily routine. These bacteria are responsible for producing bad breath.
Soft nylon bristle brushes should be used. The use of hard bristle toothbrushes, vigorous horizontal brushing, and the use of extremely abrasive toothpaste may lead to cervical abrasion and Gingival Recession.
Toothpaste is always preferred over toothpowder. The consistency of the paste should be fine. Avoid paste containing large size abrasive particles. While selecting the toothpaste, it’s essential to assess exactly what your requirements are – are the teeth sensitive, stained, prone to decay, and plaque? Fluoride is the most effective ingredient for fighting cavities and strengthening enamel. Antibacterial qualities are provided by a variety of substances to inhibit the growth of germs in the oral cavity.
Toothpaste containing ingredients like Olive Oil, Betaine, and Xylitol can stimulate salivary secretion when at rest, thus increasing the basal rate of salivary secretion. Toothpaste containing natural plant extracts showed similar antibacterial effectiveness as Chlorhexidine containing toothpaste. There is little evidence available in the literature regarding ingredients like Salt, Charcoal, Neem, Tulsi in toothpaste and their beneficial effect on oral health. Further long-term research is needed to study their effect on oral health.
Step by step guide to brushing your teeth the right way: 1. The front surface of the teeth: Angle your brush at a 45-degree angle while brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth and gum line. 2. The inside surface of the teeth: Move the brush to the inside surface of your teeth, while keeping the brush at a 45-degree angle to clean the gum line. 3. Chewing surfaces: Brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth while holding the toothbrush flat on the top surface of the tooth. 4. Clean your tongue: Clean the bacteria off your tongue, which often appears as a white buildup. This will help keep your breath smelling fresh.
Some of the key points are: – Eat a healthy balanced diet – Limit intake of sugary food and drinks – Avoid frequent snacking and application of fluoride products – For those having artificial teeth/dentures, a constant visit to the doctors is a must – Abstain from alcohol and tobacco products as they affect the composition and appearance of your teeth and gums
Brush and floss at least 2 times per day for 2–3 minutes with gentle force. Vigorously brushing your teeth tear down the enamel and damage the teeth. A V-shaped defect is produced along the gum line. It pushes back the gums by exposing the sensitive root area. Receding gums can also lead to dental problems including Periodontal Disease, and cavities on the roots of teeth.
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