Don’t Neglect your Oral Health- Abide by these Effective Tips

Do you love your smile? Ever given a thought to it, what would be the right way to prevent that smile from fading away?

Billions of bacteria live inside our mouth and can build up as plaque, causing cavities called as tooth decay or gingivitis which could lead to serious gum problems (periodontal disease). Most of the foods that we eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acid.

The best way to remove plaque and tooth decay is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. The movement of the brushing action also plays a significant role. The technique and the sequence are as follows to understand the complete tooth care routine:

Step 1: Brushing

Brush, brush, don’t rush!

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums. Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
Brush your tongue too to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Step 2: Flossing

Floss, floss, don’t toss!

The quickest and most effective way to keep your gums and teeth healthy is flossing. Flossing removes food particles from the tooth which have been stuck inside the joint of tooth and gums.

Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of both the hands. Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth and gently slide it up and down between your teeth. Gently try sliding it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Bring the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up or down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth and use sections of floss as you move around from tooth to tooth. Gently start rubbing the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

Step 3: Rinse your mouth using a good mouthwash for added protection

A mouth rinse, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, can increase the cleanliness of your mouth and reduce the risk of developing any problems. Antimicrobial mouth rinses prevent tooth decay and reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease. Always consult your dentist about any new products you are interested in trying. For instance, fluoride mouth rinses are not recommended for children ages 6 or younger because they may swallow them. It is advisable to always check the manufacturer’s label for precautions and age recommendations.

To maintain healthy teeth and gums, few points given below should be kept in mind:

Using a straw could help reduce the contact of sweetened beverages with your teeth.
Reduce the daily amount and frequency of sweetened drinks or replace sugary drinks with milk, yogurt, or water. Avoid sugary drinks at night.
Clean tongue everyday thoroughly. An unclean tongue can be the reason for bad odour.
Limit alcoholic drinks

Over to you

Oral hygiene can be low maintenance with high returns if once you formulate a routine of brushing, flossing and using an antimicrobial mouthwash every day which is the key. Consult your dentist every two months for the prevention and treatment of oral disease.

Remember two minutes, two times of the day!