Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the
dentist helps you in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Oral hygiene along
with regular visits to dentist, helps us in not only developing strong teeth
and gums, but it is also good for overall health. Once you understand the basic
routines that are required to maintain good dental hygiene, the task becomes
very easy.
Benefits of Oral Hygiene
Daily
cleaning of your teeth, gums, and tongue helps in avoiding harmful bacteria and
microbes that lead to tooth decay, bleeding gums, and oral infections. Proper
oral hygiene also helps you overcome diabetic and heart problems. It prevents
you from embarrassing conditions such as plaque, tartar and bad breath.
Oral hygiene for Kids
Teaching good oral hygiene habits to kids is
very essential for his/her overall well-being. Proper oral hygiene must start
with kids as soon as child begins to bottle feed. Young babies’ teeth should be
cleaned using a washcloth, while as the babies start getting tooth, they should
eventually have their teeth and tongues brushed with soft and gentle brushes.
Parents must teach their children the proper way of brushing, taking them to
regular dental check-ups and must serve the food (e.g. Milk, cheese, leafy
vegetables, etc...) that will help strengthen teeth.
Oral hygiene for Adults
To maintain proper oral health, adults should
brush their teeth twice a day. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent
unpleasant conditions, such as plaque and bad odor. Adults should visit their
dentist regularly for routine check-ups and before using over-the-counter
medication.
Dental Tips for Healthy Teeth:
- Brush your teeth twice a day: You should brush your teeth atleast twice a day, most preferably after meals and before going to bed.
- Use toothpaste with high fluoride content: Fluoride helps to reduce the risk of decay and helps in hardening the tooth enamel.
- We should brush our teeth thoroughly for about two to three minutes.
- We should use a gentle sawing motion for flossing.
- Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices: They soften tooth material and dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel, causing holes (cavities)
- Limit yourself with sugary foods as the bacteria present in dental plaque turns this sugar into acids.
- Protect your teeth from injury.
- You should visit your dentist regularly if you have dental problem such as a toothache or bleeding gums.
Your overall
long-term health is greatly affected by oral
hygiene. It promotes a more confidence in your personality. Prevention
through daily cleaning and regular dental check-up is good not only for your health, but also for
your budget. That's why it is very important for parents to teach their kids
smart oral hygiene habits. Kids are likely to follow in the footsteps of those
who set positive examples and will carry those healthy habits through their own
adult lives. Remember, whatever your age, it’s never too late to take a serious
stand in keeping your teeth healthy and your smile confident.
