Oral hygiene is essential for keeping teeth and gums healthy. It entails practices like brushing twice a day and getting regular dental examinations.
Oral health is considerably more than just cavities and gum disease. According to research, there is a link between a person's oral health and their general health. Oral health issues, according to experts, are a global health burden.
Without treatment, dental decay or gum disease can cause discomfort, self-confidence issues, and tooth loss. These concerns can result in malnutrition, speech impairments, and other difficulties at job, school, or in one's personal life.
Proper dental care, both at home and at the dentist's office, can help people avoid these issues. The following are some of the greatest methods for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
1. Brush on a regular but not aggressive basis.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most essential routines for eliminating plaque and bacteria and keeping your teeth clean. Brushing, on the other hand, may only be beneficial if individuals apply the proper technique.
Brushing should be done in tiny circular strokes, making sure to brush the front, rear, and top of each tooth. This procedure takes between 2 and 3 minutes to complete. People should avoid back-and-forth sawing motions.
Tooth enamel and gums can be damaged by brushing too forcefully or with a firm-bristled toothbrush. This can cause dental discomfort, lasting damage to the protective enamel of teeth, and gum erosion.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush. They also recommend that users replace their toothbrushes every three months or when the ends begin to fray, whichever occurs first.
2. Make use of fluoride
Fluoride is derived from the element fluorine found in the earth's soil. Fluoride is widely believed to help prevent cavities by many professionals, and it is a popular element in toothpaste and mouthwash.
Other dental products, however, do not include fluoride, and some people do not use it at all.
Even if a person takes good care of their teeth, evidence shows that a lack of fluoride can contribute to tooth decay. According to a recent study, brushing and flossing do not prevent cavities if fluoride is not used.
Fluoride has been added to the water supply in several areas around the United States. Several organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), advocate adopting this approach.
People can contact their local authority to find out if the water in their region contains fluoride. Fluoride is removed using reverse osmosis water filters, and those who use well water must check the fluoride levels in their water to see how much is there. Many brands of bottled water do not contain fluoride.
3. Floss once daily
Flossing may eliminate plaque and germs from between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot. It can also aid in the prevention of bad breath by eliminating dirt and food that has been lodged between the teeth.
Despite the paucity of long-term research confirming the benefits of flossing, the ADA continues to encourage it. The CDC also recommends that individuals floss their teeth.
Most dentists advocate carefully pushing the floss all the way down to the gumline before embracing the tooth with up-and-down motions. It is critical to avoid snapping the floss up and down between the teeth, which can cause pain and reduces the effectiveness of plaque removal.
4. See a dentist on a regular basis
Experts suggest that patients visit a dentist for a checkup every six months. A hygienist will clean the teeth and remove plaque and hardened tartar during a normal dental checkup.
The dentist will look for indicators of cavities, gum disease, mouth cancer, and other oral health problems. They may also utilize dental X-rays to look for cavities.
A new study found that children and teenagers should visit the dentist every six months to help avoid cavities. Adults who practice proper dental hygiene every day and are at minimal risk of oral health concerns, on the other hand, may be able to go less regularly.
A recent review's authors According to Trusted Source, further high-quality research are needed to determine the appropriate frequency of dental exams.
People might discuss with their dentist how frequently they should get a checkup. The response will differ based on a person's medical history, age, and general oral health. Anyone who sees changes in their mouth, on the other hand, should see a dentist.
5. Quit smoking
Tobacco use weakens the immune system, making it difficult for the body to repair tissues, including those in the mouth. The CDC lists smoking as a risk factor for gum disease, while the American Dental Association warns that smokers may have poor healing after a dental surgery.
Smoking also has an impact on the aesthetics of the mouth, causing yellowing of the teeth and tongue and giving breath an unpleasant odor.
6. Consider using mouthwash
According to several research, some mouthwashes can improve dental health. One study discovered that mouthwash with the antibacterial component chlorhexidine helped decrease plaque and gingivitis. A meta-analysis found that mouthwashes containing certain essential oils are also beneficial.
People may want to consult their dentist which mouthwash is appropriate for their specific needs. Mouthwash cannot replace brushing and flossing, but it can help to supplement these habits.
7. Limit sugary and starchy meals
Sugar consumption can result in cavities. Sugar continues to play a substantial influence in poor dental health outcomes, according to research. Candy and pastries are common offenders, but many processed meals also include added sugar.
The WHO recommends that adults restrict their sugar intake to less than 10% of their daily calories. A comprehensive evaluation showed that decreasing this to 5% would reduce the incidence of cavities and other oral issues even more.
According to experts, starchy foods such as crackers, bread, chips, and pasta can potentially trigger tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association, these meals stay in the mouth and break down into simple sugars, which acid-producing bacteria feed on. This acid has the potential to induce tooth decay.
Instead of starchy carbohydrates, the American Diabetes Association recommends consuming plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy products with no added sugar.
8. Replace sugary beverages with water.
Sugar-sweetened drinks are the most common source of added sugars in the ordinary American diet. Drinking soda, juice, or other sugary drinks might increase your chances of getting cavities.
The American Diabetes Association recommends drinking water or unsweetened tea throughout the day and drinking sugar-sweetened beverages only during meal times and in modest amounts.
TIPS FOR CHILDREN
A child's primary teeth, often known as baby teeth, are as crucial as its permanent teeth. Baby teeth assist a youngster in chewing and speaking. They serve as placeholders for permanent teeth.
When a kid loses a baby tooth due to decay, the space in the mouth is disrupted, making it harder for the adult tooth to form properly.
With this in mind, it is essential to start appropriate dental care for children while they are young. The following habits will help a child's teeth and gums stay healthy:
- Even before they acquire teeth, wipe a baby's gums with a warm, damp towel every day. This eliminates sugars from the gums and can help a baby develop used to the sensation of brushing their teeth.
- Babies and toddlers should not sleep with bottles or sippy cups in their hands. Milk and juice contain sugars that, if left on the teeth for an extended length of time, can cause tooth rot.
- Begin introducing a sippy cup to a baby as they approach one year of age. Attempt to eliminate the use of bottles by their first birthday.
- Allow toddlers to drink water from sippy cups in between meals, but reserve juice and milk for mealtimes only.
- When not in use, keep toothpaste out of reach of children.
- The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist within 6 months after the appearance of their first tooth or at the age of one year, whichever comes first.
- Parents and caregivers should not share eating utensils with their children or clean pacifiers in their mouths. Both of these behaviors can transfer cavity-causing germs from the parent to the child.
- Brush a baby's teeth twice a day with a soft baby toothbrush once he or she has teeth. Use a small bit of fluoride toothpaste, around the size of a grain of rice. Children from three to six years old can use a pea-sized quantity of toothpaste.
- Parents or carers should brush their children's teeth until they are able to clean all of their teeth thoroughly on their own. Keep an eye on them to make sure they spit out the toothpaste.