Ensuring regular visits to the dentist helps you stay updated on your oral health and also get a regular clean up done. But back home, follow these 5 simple daily steps to maintain your over oral hygiene.
Caring for your oral hygiene ensures that your mouth remains and smells healthy and fresh. This means that teeth are:
Smear some toothpaste (pea-sized amount) onto a clean and damp brush head. For the best clean tilt the brush head at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Move the brush head in a small circular movement away from the gum line, gently brushing the surface of each tooth. Finish by gently brushing your tongue to remove bacteria and refresh breath.
Plaque is a film of bacteria, which forms constantly on the teeth. It gathers next to the gums and is usually in the hard to reach places between teeth. You cannot stop plaque from forming. But regular and thorough brushing can help remove it. If left to develop, plaque can be damaging and lead to tooth decay and gum diseases.
Gum disease is the inflammation of the tissue that attaches the teeth to the jaw. When plaque builds up on teeth, toxins produced by the bacteria can make gums red and swollen. If not removed, plaque may enter below the gum levels resulting in bone destruction and gaps forming between teeth and gums. To help prevent this, brush at least twice a day and ensure to visit the dentist for treatment and regular clean up.
Up to 50% of adults experience sensitive teeth or in other words, dentine sensitivity. This occurs when the gum recedes and exposes the underlying dentine. Excessive acidic food or fizzy drinks can erode the tooth surface and expose this dentine. You can help relieve symptoms by using toothbrush with soft bristles, sensitivity toothpaste and follow a lifestyle of minimal soft drinks/acidic intake.
Also called halitosis, bad breath is a form of tainted odor emanated by the mouth mainly caused by decaying food particles and bacteria that were missed out on being cleaned.
The primary causes of chronic bad breath are poor oral hygiene and gum diseases. Bad odor begins when bacteria start to develop on your tongue and in other areas of your mouth. If a proper oral care routine is not followed, the bacteria spread between your teeth and throughout your entire mouth. These bacteria then release sulfuric compounds, which result in foul smell.
The main reasons for bad breath are bacteria in the mouth, a dry mouth or poor oral hygiene. Prevent bad breath by brushing the whole mouth thoroughly, not forgetting the tongue where lots of bacteria gather. Also follow a strict hygiene routine, use the right brush and ensure you visit a dentist every 4-6 months at least.
A proper oral care regimen should be adopted, which includes routine brushing and flossing, in addition to keeping your tongue clean. Regular scheduled visit to a dental professional is also a necessity. Products such as mouthwash or breath mints may provide temporary bad breath relief but they are not long-term solutions. The only long-term cure for bad breath is to control or eliminate the mouth bacteria or digestive problems creating the smell.
Encourage your toddler to look after their teeth as part of a daily routine. By doing so, you're developing a healthy habit that will last long into their adult life. Everyone should brush for around 2 minutes twice a day. Use fun colored Kids brushes and specially formulated Kids pastes to take the best possible care of your child's mouth. Lastly, inculcate a healthy lifestyle habit for them so that they consume less sweets and junk food.
