Dental hygiene is the care of teeth to keep them clean and healthy. It is a component of proper oral hygiene, which also includes:
Keeping teeth clean and free of dirt.
Ensuring healthy pink gums that do not ache when one brushes or flosses.
There is no unpleasant breath.
Oral hygiene should be part of everyone’s dental preventative care and may be handled with easy everyday activities and frequent dentist check-ups.
Why is Dental Hygiene required?
Dental hygiene is essential for keeping teeth healthy and controlling dental issues before they become unpleasant, concerning, and costly to cure. Healthy teeth and gums allow individuals to eat and talk correctly, as well as look and feel well. Dental hygiene may impact or be affected by a variety of illnesses and ailments, including:
Periodontists may cause early delivery or low birth weight during pregnancy.
Diabetes – Diabetics are more likely to get gum disease.
Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart that arises when bacteria from other regions of the body, such as the mouth, spread and harm the heart region.
For Dental Hygiene, which professional should be consulted?
A dentist or dental hygienist may advise on excellent dental hygiene procedures and point out particular areas that should be given special attention while brushing or flossing teeth. A frequent dental check-up plan for specific needs may be devised by the dentist or dental hygienist.
What is the Dental Hygiene procedure?
Regular dental visits for treatments, as well as a daily routine to keep teeth and gums clean, constitute good oral hygiene.
A dentist will inspect for any dental abnormalities and perform operations such as scaling and polishing of teeth, as well as fluoride application and fissure sealants. Regular check-ups are critical for the early diagnosis and management of dental issues.
Aside from regular visits to the dentist, practicing good oral hygiene every day can help prevent serious tooth problems.
Some Oral Hygiene Must-Dos
Choose the proper toothbrush and dispose of it properly.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Floss every day.
Brushing and flossing should be done with good technique.
Maintain a nutritious diet.
After each meal, rinse your mouth.
Use fluoride-containing dental hygiene products, such as mouthwashes and toothpaste, as directed by your dentist.
Oral Hygiene Dos and Don’ts
Snacks in between meals should be limited.
Do not use mouthwash just after cleaning your teeth. After using fluoride mouthwash, wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
To remove food trapped between teeth, avoid using toothpicks. Toothpicks may result in gum bleeding, which can lead to infection.
Let’s look at correct brushing and flossing techniques:
Brushing Techniques That Work
When the toothbrush head is put on the teeth, the bristles should be oriented 45 degrees away from the gum line.
To move the bristles over the surface of the teeth, use little circular motions.
The above action should be repeated throughout the outer and inner surfaces of upper and lower teeth.
Brush the chewing surface of each tooth thoroughly.
By tilting the brush vertically and making several circular strokes, the inside surfaces of the front teeth can be cleaned. Applying pressure through the front of the brush is recommended.
Brushing the tongue is also necessary since it might harbor germs. Cleaning the tongue will not only eliminate germs but will also make your breath smell better.
Correct Flossing Technique
Flossing should be included in one’s everyday oral hygiene routine. It aids in the removal of food particles lodged between teeth and plaque that accumulates along the gum line, lowering the risk of gum disease and foul breath. The following are the steps for flossing teeth:
A floss thread length of 12-18 inches is necessary. The thread’s ends should be carefully held.
The floss slides between the teeth and gums, going as far below as it can.
To remove food particles and plaque, eight to ten up and down strokes on each tooth are adequate.
It is critical to floss at least once every day. Flossing may be done before or after brushing, although it is best done before going to bed.