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Good oral hygiene is necessary to keep teeth and gums healthy. It entails habits such as brushing two times a day and having regular dental checkups.
However, oral health is about more than cavities and gum disease. Research has revealed that there is an association involving the health of a person’s mouth and their overall health. Experts believe oral health problems to be a global health burden.
Without treatment, tooth decay or gum problems can lead to pain, problems with self-confidence, and tooth loss. These issues may lead to malnutrition, speech issues, and other challenges in a person’s job, college, or personal life.
People can prevent these issues with proper dental care, both at home and at the dentist’s office. The following are some best practices that can keep teeth and gums healthy.
Brush Regularly But Not Aggressively
Brushing twice a day and using dental floss can help keep teeth and gums healthy.
Most individuals are aware that brushing their teeth twice a day is one of the most important practices for removing plaque and bacteria and keeping teeth clean. Nevertheless, cleaning may only be effective if people use the right technique.
People should brush with small circular motions, taking care to brush the front, back, and top of every tooth. This process takes between 2 and 3 minutes. Individuals should avoid sawing back-and-forth motions.
Brushing too hard or utilizing a hard-bristled toothbrush can damage tooth enamel and the gums. The effects of this may include tooth sensitivity, permanent damage to the protective enamel on the teeth, and gum erosion.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommend using a toothbrush that has soft bristles. They also state that individuals should change their toothbrush every 3 months or when the endings start to look frayed, whichever comes first.
Use Fluoride
Fluoride comes from an element in the earth’s soil called fluorine. Many experts believe that fluoride helps prevent cavities, and it is a frequent ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash.
However, some dental products do not contain fluoride, and some people do not use it at all.
Evidence suggests that a lack of fluoride can lead to tooth decay, even if a person takes care of their teeth otherwise. A current review found that brushing and flossing do not stop a person from getting cavities if they do not make use of fluoride.
Many communities in the United States have added fluoride to their water supply. Several organizations recommend this practice, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the ADA.
People can find out whether the water within their area contains fluoride by contacting their local government. Reverse osmosis water filters remove fluoride, and individuals who work with well water will need to inspect the fluoride levels within this water to find out how much is present. Many bottled water brands do not contain fluoride.
Floss At Least Once a Day
Flossing can eliminate plaque and bacteria from between the teeth, where a toothbrush is unable to reach. It can also help prevent bad breath by removing debris and food that has become trapped between the teeth.
Although there is a lack of long-term studies demonstrating that flossing is beneficial, the ADA continue to urge it. The CDC also state that individuals must floss their teeth.
Most dental health professionals advocate softly pushing the floss all the way down to the gum-line before putting the side of the tooth together with up-and-down motions.
It is important to avoid snapping the floss up and down between the teeth, which can cause pain and will not eliminate plaque as effectively.
Try & Visit A Dentist Regularly
dentist can diagnose and treat oral health issues before they become severe.
Experts recommend that people visit a dentist every 6 months for a checkup. During a routine dental examination, a hygienist will clean the teeth and remove plaque and hardened tartar.
The dentist will check for visual signs of cavities, gum disease, mouth cancer, and other oral health issues. They may sometimes also use dental X-rays to check for cavities.
The results of a recent study confirmed that children and adolescents should see a dentist every 6 months to help prevent cavities. But adults who practice good dental hygiene every day and have a low risk of oral health issues may be able to go less frequently.
The authors of a recent review state that there is a need for much more high-quality research to confirm the ideal frequency of dental checkups.
People can speak for their dentist about how often they require a checkup. The answer may vary depending upon a person’s health history, age, and overall dental health. Nevertheless, anyone who sees changes in their mouth should visit a dentist.
Do Not Smoke
Smoking harms the body’s immune system, which makes it difficult for the body to heal tissues, including those in the mouth. The CDC name smoking as a risk factor for gum disease, while the ADA warn that those who smoke may experience slow healing after a dental procedure.
Smoking also affects the appearance of the mouth, leading to yellowing of the teeth and tongue, and it can cause breath a bad odor.
Think About A Mouthwash
Some studies indicate that certain mouthwashes can benefit oral health. For example, 1 review found that mouthwash containing chlorhexidine, an antibacterial ingredient, helps control plaque and gingivitis. Mouthwashes with certain essential oils are also effective, according to a meta-analysis.
People may wish to ask their dentist which is the very best mouthwash for their individual needs. A mouthwash cannot substitute brushing and flossing, but it can match these practices.
Mouthwashes that may assist with bad breath and dental problems are available online.
Drink Water Rather of Sugary Drinks
Sugar-sweetened beverages are the number one source of added sugars from the typical diet of these in the U.S. Sipping on soda, juice, or other sugary drinks can lead to a higher risk of cavities.
The ADA recommend drinking water or unsweetened tea through the day and just drinking sugar-sweetened drinks at meal times and in small volumes.
Tips for Children
Teaching good dental hygiene can help ensure a child’s teeth and gums remain healthy as they develop.
A child’s primary teeth, which people sometimes call baby teeth, are just as important as their permanent teeth. Baby teeth help a kid chew and speak. They are placeholders for the future permanent teeth.
If a child loses a baby tooth to decay, this can disrupt the space from the mouth and make it difficult for the adult tooth to grow properly.
With this in mind, it is best to introduce great dental care for children during infancy. The following practices can help keep a child’s teeth and gums healthy:
Scrub a baby’s teeth with a warm, wet washcloth each day, even before they have any teeth. Doing this removes sugars from the teeth and can aid a baby become familiar with the feeling of cleaning their teeth.
Babies and toddlers shouldn’t head to bed with bottles or sippy cups. Milk and juice contain sugars that can cause tooth decay if they remain on the teeth for lengthy periods.
As a baby approaches 1 year of age, start getting them used to a sippy cup. Aim to quit using bottles with their first birthday.
Allow toddlers to sip water from sippy cups between meals, but save milk or juice for meal times only.
Once a baby has teeth brush them twice a day with a soft baby toothbrush.
Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste, no larger than a grain of rice. Children that are 3 to 6 years of age may use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Parents or caregivers should brush the child’s teeth for them until they can clean all of their teeth completely without assistance. Monitor them to make certain that they spit out the toothpaste.
Maintain the toothpaste out of children’s reach when it is not being used.
The ADA urge that children visit a dentist within 6 months of their first tooth appearing or at 1 year of age, whichever occurs first.
Parents and caregivers should not share eating utensils with a kid or clean pacifiers by putting them into their mouth. Both of these actions can pass the adult’s cavity-causing bacteria to the kid.
Conclusion
Practicing good dental care from infancy to adulthood can help a person keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Brushing and flossing daily, not smoking, eating a healthful diet, and having regular dental checkups can help individuals avoid cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. It may also benefit their overall health.