Published on Oct 17, 2016 and last reviewed on Dec 21, 2022 - 5 min read
Abstract
Maintaining oral hygiene is as important as physical hygiene. Read this article to know about how to maintain proper oral hygiene for healthy living.
In an individual, oral health is one of the foremost indicators of any underlying infection, disease, or medical condition.
Everyone should remember one crucial thing: the mouth and its intraoral environment are essential indicators of many underlying diseases. So, maintaining perfect oral health displays how fit you are (having good muscles and a toned body is always secondary to it).
Before discussing the steps to maintain good oral hygiene, let us know about the symptoms of poor oral hygiene.
Bleeding Gums - It is usually found in at least 1/3rd of the population. It can be caused by oral infections like not rinsing your mouth after having food or avoiding nighttime brushing. Some underlying diseases like diabetes, heart problems, and other systemic conditions result in gingival bleeding and inflammation.
Bad Breath - Malodor or bad breath is an important manifestation of poor oral hygiene and it comes in association with gum problems or dental caries.
Inflamed and Reddened Gums - It can be found in children who are careless about their oral hygiene and whose parents cannot guide them about proper oral hygiene maintenance. This is also seen in people who consume lots of chocolates and sweets, disregarding their health.
Loosened Teeth - These are usually seen in the age group of 35 years and above. By this age, the lack of oral hygiene and care would have caused much damage to the underlying alveolar bone (part of jaw bone holding the teeth in place) and periodontium (tissue that helps attach the tooth to the surrounding alveolar bone). In turn, this leads to the gums’ recession (gingival recession) and bone loss resulting in loose teeth, which would ultimately fall off or need to be extracted due to pain.
Swelling and Abscess Formation - It is an advanced stage of gum infection that causes a severe foul smell in the mouth and pus discharge through the gums. And in more severe cases, pus discharge occurs externally through the cheeks.
Conclusion:
Just like general health, oral health is also vital for the well-being of an individual. Following adequate prophylactic measures helps maintain good oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. Therefore, follow the above steps, perpetuate your oral hygiene, and reduce the time and money you spend on a dentist.
Good oral hygiene involves an oral cavity that is free from microorganisms. The routine for good oral hygiene requires brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene will keep an individual away from several health conditions. You can get counseling from your dentist and ask them to provide tips for maintaining good oral hygiene.
Oral hygiene can be maintained by practicing ideal brushing techniques. It is necessary to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Use a toothpaste that has fluoride content. In addition to this, you have to floss your teeth regularly. Usage of mouthwashes is also recommended. Oil pulling is a good habit for maintaining proper hygiene of the oral cavity.
The advantages of healthy oral hygiene are:
- Prevents bad breath.
- Protection against several oral health conditions.
- Brightens the smile.
- Prevention of gingival and periodontal diseases.
Saltwater is usually recommended only when there is pain and infection in the oral cavity or the throat. For a general reduction in the number of microorganisms, mouthwash is recommended. Saltwater has a promising property to kill the bacteria that is causing the infection. In mouthwashes, suitable chemicals are added to destroy the pathogens.
The yellow teeth can be overcome by a procedure called dental bleaching. Bleaching can be done in both clinical setup and home environments. The procedure that is done in the clinic has prolonged beneficial effects compared to the one that is done at home.
The below things serve as a natural remedy for overcoming the yellow teeth.
- Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
- Lemon, orange, or banana peels.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Coconut oil pulling.
- Eating vegetables that are rich in water content.
- Activated charcoal.
Banana peel is rich in magnesium and potassium. A small piece of a banana peel can help provide a white appearance to the teeth due to the absorption of minerals inside the enamel.
Lemon is the most recommended source of vitamin C. The acidic content of lemon juice might result in the erosion of the enamel. The lemon juice that is added with sugar, the risk of decay in the teeth increases.
Hot water would not have a negative influence on the teeth because water is almost neutral. But, if you are consuming hot beverages like coffee and tea, it might cause damage to the enamel. In the long run, it will result in the sensitivity of the teeth.
The following signs can indicate bad oral hygiene.
- Swelling and bleeding of the gums.
- Pain in the teeth.
- Dental caries.
- Plaque and calculus.
- The sensitivity of the teeth.
Infections require help from qualified doctors for diagnosis. The patients might experience pus or swelling in a particular area that might indicate an infection. It is not good to misinterpret a condition. It is better to visit a dentist to identify the infections in the mouth.
Sodium bicarbonate is a very good component for killing bacteria. You are advised to choose a toothpaste that is rich in sodium bicarbonate content. You can also gargle by mixing two teaspoons of sodium bicarbonate in water.
Last reviewed at:
21 Dec 2022 - 5 min read
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