4 Min Read
Taking good care of our health also includes maintaining good oral hygiene. A good oral hygiene routine can help to avoid several dental procedures and surgeries, which will greatly reduce medical expenses.
Our mouth has several billion bacteria on average at any given time. There are 20 billion bacteria in the mouth, and they multiply five times an hour. The amount increases to a whopping 100 billion if someone skips brushing for more than two hours! Therefore, dental care should be a top priority for people of all ages.
Dental hygiene refers to paying attention to teeth to keep them healthy and beautiful. It is important to maintain excellent dental hygiene, which includes:
-
Maintaining a clean, plaque-free mouth
-
Having healthy gums that do not hurt when you brush or floss
-
Preventing foul breath.
Maintaining dental hygiene is essential for maintaining tooth strength and managing dental problems before they worsen and become painful, troublesome, and expensive to treat. People with healthy teeth and gums may eat and speak properly while also feeling and looking better. Dental hygiene should be a priority for everyone's dental preventative care, and it is manageable with regular dental check-ups and simple daily hygiene practices.
Do’s:
-
Brushing twice a day: One can incorporate a variety of practices that help teeth and gums stay strong and plaque-free into the daily dental routine. An oral hygiene schedule's major emphasis is on brushing twice each day. Individuals should ensure proper cleaning of their teeth by brushing twice a day for two minutes each. Brushing your teeth twice—once in the morning and again before bed in the night—is recommended. One will never miss a day if they include brushing as an important component of their daily plan.
-
Continue replacing your toothbrush over time: One should not use an old toothbrush to brush their teeth because it could harm their teeth more than anything else. Every 3–4 months, or as soon as there are signs of wear, it is recommended to change your toothbrush. Using a worn-out toothbrush might hurt or injure the gums.
-
Always remember to wash hands: Several times a day of hand washing reduces the risk of getting sick. As a result, you should wash your hands before using a toothbrush or floss.
-
Maintaining proper toothbrush storage: It is always recommended to keep the toothbrush upright and uncovered while storing it. Any other method will cause the brush to lose its bristles sooner.
-
Flossing: Many people don't think much of flossing and fail to understand its importance. Plaque can be removed from hard-to-reach areas that the toothbrush cannot effectively clean by flossing once per day, ensuring mouth health. Flossing should be done regularly to avoid any dental troubles. When plaque is left on the teeth for an extended period, it may lead to a variety of problems for the teeth and gums, including tooth decay and gum infection.
-
Visiting the dentist regularly: Visiting the dental professional regularly for scheduled exams and cleanings is considered important for maintaining oral hygiene. A dental specialist can identify oral cancer, gum disease, tooth decay, and other potential health risks and initiate treatment right away or make referrals to other specialists. For detailed knowledge of oral health and hygiene, visit the best dental hospital in Kolkata.
Don’ts:
-
Avoid aggressive brushing: While brushing ensures that every tooth is being cleaned, brushing too vigorously can seriously injure the gums, teeth, and enamel. Brushing teeth too vigorously might harm the enamel, which serves as the teeth's barrier against bacteria. When brushing, individuals should aim to move the toothbrush in little, circular motions rather than using a hard-to-and-fro motion.
-
Do not ignore tooth or gum pain: Even individuals who are dedicated to their oral hygiene practice occasionally have tooth pain. Tooth pain may be a sign of a cavity, tooth decay, gum infection, or even a serious disease. Hence, it is important to receive a rapid check-up in the case of a toothache.
-
Avoid sharing the toothbrush with others: You alone are the owner of your toothbrush. Individuals should never lend their toothbrushes to anyone, not even their family. Such actions surely convey spit from one person to another, which can lead to diseases and sickness.
-
Keeping different toothbrushes apart: Individuals should avoid storing toothbrushes from different families next to one another. They should remain a few inches apart from one another.
-
Avoid biting the nails: Biting nails spread germs from our hands to our mouths. This habit is bad for both our oral and general health. Gum disease, oral infections, etc. may result from this.
-
Avoiding the consumption of more sugary foods and beverages: Sugar eventually breaks down in the mouth into corrosives that can erode the enamel on teeth. Decay is caused by these acids. Tea, coffee, and other acidic beverages can also corrode and damage tooth enamel. Individuals should avoid the consumption of acidic and sweetened beverages. It is acceptable to occasionally indulge in sweet beverages. Nevertheless, one should not consume it frequently because some drinks include both sugar and acid, which can cause germs to harm health. Acidic drinks can also etch and corrode the enamel on teeth. Over time, this may increase the risk of developing cavities and tooth infections. Consult the best dentist in Kolkata regularly to maintain oral hygiene.
Share this article on:
