Tip 2: Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Having good dental hygiene is very important as our mouth is the gateway to our body. We are what we eat. An unhealthy mouth means that all the infected debris and bacteria in and around the teeth enter our body while chewing food. This debris then causes diseases in the digestive, cardiovascular and reproductive systems of the body.

The oral cavity is comprised of the teeth, the gums, the oral mucosa and the tongue. We need to clean them all to have good oral health.

Dental disease is caused by bacteria that live in plaque, the filmy substance that fills the nooks and crannies of your mouth after meals. It cannot be emphasized more strongly—if you want to avoid tooth decay ("dental caries", or "cavities") and gum disease ("gingivitis" and "periodontitis"), you need to remove plaque from your teeth and gums. The most effective way to do this is to:

            Brush your teeth

Brushing your teeth after every meal if possible, or at a minimum, two times per day. Studies have shown that use of mechanical toothbrushes is superior to manual toothbrushing at removal of plaque. If you do use a manual brush, try and brush for at least two minutes whenever you brush.

Floss your teeth

Floss your teeth at least one time per day. It really is the only good way to remove plaque from between your teeth, where toothbrush bristles do not go.

Brush your tongue

Brushing your tongue can reduce the total bacteria population in your mouth.

Follow your dentist's recommendations

Use any other materials and methods your dentist may have recommended for your specific dental situation. For example, fixed bridges or braces might be hard to clean under, and thus prone to becoming decayed. Your dentist might recommend the use of an interdental brush, toothpicks, or oral irrigation devices to aid in the removal of plaque for your unique dental situation.

Remember: teeth are as important as the other organs of the body. Take care of them; they will shine happily as pearls in your mouth lending beauty and grace and working as dedicated chewing machines all your life.

Caution:

• Never use hard or medium toothbrushes, as they can injure the gums and the teeth.
• Use mouth washes with utmost caution. Keep them away from children.
• Never give toothpastes to little children; they will eat it and create a medical emergency.
• Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, but once broken or rotten, it cannot repair itself.

Quick Tips:

• Brush teeth twice a day and floss once a day at night before brushing.
• Contact your dentist in case of dental problems as early as possible.