Oral hygiene is a form of preventive care that ensures the mouth remains clean and free of diseases. However, it is a consistent effort as you’re required frequently visit the dentist for a check-up or if your teeth feel sensitive. Research suggests that 26% of people in America do not get their tooth decay treated, and nearly 46% get affected by gum disease. Hence, it is a critical issue one should pay attention to by practicing habits that align with good oral hygiene.
Several people assume only large, heavily populated cities in the US have excellent dental service providers. That is not the case, as smaller cities like Lehi, Utah, have spectacular dental clinics with professional dentists who have amassed a colossal experience.
Importance Of Oral Hygiene
Being attentive to your oral well-being can keep numerous diseases at bay, including gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Taking some medications like painkillers and diuretics can also lessen saliva flow in your mouth, leading to adverse effects, as saliva tends to neutralize acids in the mouth. In such conditions, it may be essential to get treated immediately.
Even if you live in a smaller city like Lehi, Utah, you need not be fearful. Regarding oral treatment or oral surgery, Lehi has well-known dental practitioners that can perform root canals, dental implants, and extract wisdom teeth. So, look up oral surgery Lehi, and overcome your oral issues instantly.
Moreover, certain conditions are linked to your oral health, including pneumonia, cardiovascular diseases, and endocarditis. Bacteria festering in the mouth may travel to other areas like the heart through the bloodstream, contributing to such conditions. Hence, this preventative care can stave off mouth diseases and prevent bacteria from affecting other areas of the body.
Tips To Protect Your Oral Health
Oral health maintenance may appear tedious, but it can ensure your teeth and gums stay strong for decades to come. Here are some vital tips to keep your smile gleaming and beautiful.
1. Brush Your Teeth
Several people complain of oral diseases despite claiming to brush daily. That is why you should consider brushing at least twice daily to remove the food particles and potential bacteria effectively. Using fluoride toothpaste can help as it strengthens the tooth enamel, allowing your teeth to become more immune to decay.
Furthermore, bacteria produce acid in the mouth, which can negatively impact oral hygiene. Fluoride toothpaste can remove this acid and ensure the mouth’s cleanliness, providing a protective barrier. You should also be attentive towards the kind of toothbrush you are using, as hard-bristled brushes can harm your enamel.
Even if you brush daily, you cannot get rid of oral diseases until you use the proper brushing technique. You must ensure the brush reaches all surfaces, including the harder-to-access areas at the back. Do not rush the process; be gentle as you use circular motions to clean your teeth.
2. Floss Daily
Flossing may appear challenging for several people, causing them to avoid it altogether. However, there are minute areas between the teeth where the brush cannot reach, leaving floss as the best option to get the tiny food particles out and lessen plaque and inflammation.
The best technique is to wrap the ends of the dental floss around two fingers, slide it between the narrow areas of the teeth, and use gentle strokes to maintain cleanliness.
Doing it once a day is enough to ensure the prevention of bacteria. However, if you still encounter difficulties, consider ready-to-use dental flossers, dental picks, and interproximal brushes.
3. Use A Mouthwash
Brushing and flossing can have tremendous positive effects on oral hygiene, but you must also use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep the mouth free of bacteria. It washes away food particles stuck to the teeth and prevents the buildup of dental plaque.
Furthermore, some mouthwashes contain fluoride to reduce cavities and periodontal disease. The fact that it acts as a refresher and removes bad breath is a bonus. One essential thing to take care of is to choose a mouthwash that does not dry out the mouth. It is advisable to ask your dentist for a recommendation, especially for children with more sensitive teeth.
4. Limit Acidic And Sugary Foods
Your food intake can play a massive role when it comes to the maintenance of oral well-being. Numerous people prefer to eat sugary food because it tastes good. However, they don’t realize that sugar converts into acid once it reaches your mouth, eventually providing a source for enamel decay.
People also have persistent addictions to beverages like tea and coffee that are acidic and consume them frequently. It is better to limit such foods and beverages and focus on healthy foods that contain healthy fiber, such as crunchy fruits and vegetables. They’re beneficial for both your oral and overall health.
Read Also: Tips For A Successful Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet
5. Visit Your Dentist
Visiting the dentist may not be a tempting prospect, but it is important for detecting potential mouth diseases. Even if you practice healthy oral habits, it is crucial to get checked out at least twice a year.
You should make time for more frequent visits if you have a history of oral diseases like cavities or gum disease. Dentists can let you know if your teeth require scaling, if you should use a different dental product, or if there are any possible underlying issues.
6. Avoid Tobacco
Numerous people have an unhealthy addiction to smoking that causes lung cancer. However, it has a severe impact on oral health, too, as it can be the cause of oral cancer and gum disease. Moreover, many adults who smoke have untreated tooth decay that can lead to more extensive dental problems.
Even smokeless tobacco is equally harmful as it causes light patches in the mouth that may result in oral leukoplakia. It is best to ask your family or healthcare provider to help you start the quitting process and remain dedicated and consistent.
7. Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking more water is not just good for your health. It will also be beneficial for your teeth and oral health. You should have water after every meal. The water in your mouth will help you to get rid of the remaining food particles and acidic food items stuck to your teeth.
This practice is important as when you have highly acidic food, the acid in the food items interacts with the bacteria in your mouth and the reaction can promote erosion of your tooth enamel.
8. Eat Crunchy Food And Vegetables
Eating fresh food and vegetables rich in fiber is very good for your teeth and jaw. First of all, the habit of eating fresh food helps you to reduce the intake of processed food and junk items. So, you get to save your teeth from the negative effects of sugar.
Further, when you need to chew food, your jaws get to act. This is especially important for children because when they have chewy food, they use their jaws. As a result, their jaws become stronger and more functional.
Oral Care For Babies
Many of us have a hard time taking oral care of babies. We don’t really understand what to do with those gentle gums that are yet to teethe or have just teethed. Here are a few essential tips for you.
Growth of the baby’s teeth is important as these baby teeth are the placeholders for adult teeth. Further, these teeth help the babies to speak and chew their food. So, when there is any problem or decay in the teeth of babies, there can be major problems in the growth and health of the teeth.
To maintain the oral hygiene of babies, you need to follow the steps below.
- You need to wet a clean washcloth in gentle warm water and then use it to wipe your baby’s gums. This practice helps in wiping the sugary or acidic buildup in the jaws of those babies. Also, repeating this practice regularly will develop the habit of brushing or taking oral care in babies.
- Don’t let your baby go to bed with a bottle of milk or sippy cups. Whatever you put in that bottle, milk, or juice, it will cause sugary and acidic buildup on the teeth of your toddler, promoting bacterial growth.
When the baby starts to teethe, and you can see one or two of them, start using a baby toothbrush with gentle bristles for cleaning the baby’s teeth and gums.
Conclusion
Oral health maintenance can appear tedious, but it becomes part of a routine once you get consistent. Healthy oral habits like brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash can prevent several diseases that may require extensive treatments later.
Eating food with healthy fibers and routinely visiting the dentist can help your oral well-being stay on track. So, get on with these habits and improve your oral health instantly.
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