Importance of good oral hygiene

Importance of good oral hygiene

Posted by Dr. Lee on May 19 2022, 01:03 AM

Good oral hygiene involves brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once per day. In addition to keeping your teeth clean and healthy, it also involves regular checkups with your dentist. This allows your dental team to monitor your overall oral health and provide preventative care like cleanings and fluoride treatments.

How does poor oral hygiene affect your oral health?

Failing to brush and floss regularly leaves you vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque, a sticky film that harbors harmful bacteria, builds up on your teeth. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque can harden and turn into tartar, which is much harder to remove from your teeth.

Plaque and tartar buildup not only damage your teeth and gums, but they can also cause bad breath and dental problems. Cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss can all result from poor oral hygiene.

Tips for practicing good oral hygiene

  • Brush your teeth twice a day

Try to brush for two minutes each time using toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride helps make your teeth stronger, which helps prevent cavities. Many toothpastes contain fluoride, but you can also use a fluoride mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste.

  • Floss once a day

In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to floss once a day. When you floss, you eliminate plaque and food particles that cannot be removed with brushing alone.

Plaque and food particles that remain on the teeth and gums can encourage the buildup of tartar. When tartar forms, the only way to remove it is to see a dentist for a professional cleaning.

  • Replace your toothbrush every three months

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. As part of your regular dental hygiene routine, you should replace your electric toothbrush head at least every four months (or sooner if you notice the bristles are fraying).

  • Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once a day.

Rinsing regularly with an antibacterial mouthwash can help kill plaque and prevent cavities from forming. It also helps freshen your breath.

An antibacterial mouthwash has ingredients that kill plaque and bacteria. Look for an over-the-counter antibacterial mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

  • Eat a well-balanced diet.

A healthy diet does more than keep your waistline slim. Good nutrition also helps keep your teeth healthy.

When you eat, your mouth produces acids that can damage the enamel of your teeth. Saliva helps neutralize the acids, but eating sugary foods and drinks can wash away saliva.

In addition, some foods and drinks can stick to your teeth, which promotes tooth decay. For example, soda, juice, and tea contain sugar, which, combined with bacteria, can cause tooth decay. So, limit your consumption of these beverages, and use a straw when you drink them.

  • Visit your dentist at least twice a year.

It’s important to get a professional dental cleaning every 6-12 months. During a cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove all plaque, buildup, and tartar from your teeth. They will also identify and address any problem areas. This allows our dentists to treat your teeth before they get to the point of needing costly dental treatments. 

  • Avoid tobacco products.

Tobacco products contain harmful chemicals that increase your risk of oral cancer, gum disease, tooth decay, and stained teeth. In addition to the health risks, tobacco products are notoriously bad for your teeth, staining them and increasing your risk of cavities.

  • See your dentist immediately if your teeth hurt.

In some cases, cavities can be painless. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly, even when you don’t have pain.

Your dentist will inspect your teeth for signs of decay and other issues. He or she can usually treat a tooth before it becomes a more serious problem.

To learn more, call us at 503 2334871 or visit our website for more details. We are located at 1415 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97214.

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