Practicing oral hygiene ensures healthy teeth and gums. It involves simple practices that need to be incorporated into your daily routine to keep away oral issues. Oral health issues are considered to be a global health burden by experts. It not only causes loss of teeth, speech issues but reduces the self-confidence of a person. Let us see more on oral hygiene in the next section.
Common oral problems:
Some of the oral problems which occur due to poor hygiene are as follows:
- Tooth Decay:
Enamel forms the outer coating of our teeth. On this, a thin bacterial layer always builds up, which is known as dental plaque. These bacteria produce acid that causes cavities by damaging the enamel. The dentist fixes this issue by filling the cavity. Fluoride in the toothpaste prevents tooth decay.
- Gum disease:
This starts with plaque buildup under the gum line. Plaque results in infection harming the gums and bone. Gum disease in mild form results in redness, tenderness, and bleeding, which is termed gingivitis. Regular brushing and flossing prevent this.
Periodontitis is a severe gum disease that needs to be treated by the dentist as it results in bleeding and painful gums, problems while chewing, and eventually loss of the tooth.
Tips for preventing oral problems:
- Brush regularly:
This is the simplest way of maintaining better oral hygiene. Brush regularly twice a day, in the morning and night before sleeping. Use a soft-bristled brush for avoiding damage to the gums. Make sure to brush all the corners thoroughly and rinse the mouth with clean water. Also, scrub the tongue to remove any bacteria that might have settled.
- Flossing:
This is needed for removing any remnant food particles that might be remaining after brushing.
iii. Quit smoking:
Smoking not just affects your lungs and those surrounding you, but also harms the teeth. Tobacco increases the plaque level and makes the teeth weak.
- Avoid excess sugar:
Besides numerous health issues that excess sugar intake can cause, the damage to the teeth is one of the most prominent ones.
To avoid the soft drinks that are loaded with sugar, chocolates, and other sweets in excess. It is because the citric and phosphoric acid in these food products settles on the teeth and results in cavities. Opt for natural fruit juices without added sugar is a better alternative.
- Regular visit to the dentist:
Schedule regular visits with your dentists to make sure that your teeth are in healthy condition. Even when there are some issues, they can identify them and get the treatment started at an early stage. This will prevent the oral problem from worsening.
- Having food that is good for oral health:
Have milk and milk products as they have a good amount of calcium and phosphates, needed for rebuilding tooth enamel quickly. Include veggies and fiber-rich fruits in your diet as they defend the teeth against gum diseases and cavity issues. Minerals lost due to bacterial acids are restored by fiber-rich food. You can have black and green tea also as they have polyphenols that prevent bacterial growth.
Conclusion:
Healthy teeth through the practice of better oral hygiene can help you ward off any dental problems and boost your confidence in any social gathering. This has a direct effect on a person’s personal, social and professional life. Hence, it is important to check with the doctor immediately when you feel any discomfort in your teeth. With healthy teeth and gums, you can enjoy the food of your choice even at later ages in your life.
