The most attractive feature we can have is a lovely grin. Such a glowing grin is impossible without straight, healthy, and white teeth. For some useful advice on oral hygiene, continue reading.
A smile is a simple curve on the face that makes a person look confident. A smile is a comforting expression that bonds even unknown people. However, as quoted by Wayne Chirisa “A genuine smile comes from the heart, but a healthy smile needs good dental care.” Dental hygiene is not just a medical term, it can also act as an active agent to welcome several other health problems. In this article, we’ll look at some easy practices you can adopt to keep your teeth and gums healthy as well as your overall oral and general health. Dr. Karuna Y.M., Associate Professor, Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, has provided some recommendations.
Why Is Dental Hygiene Important?
The look of our teeth affects how others see us. People who have good teeth generally give off superior first impressions and are viewed as intelligent and accomplished.
Surprisingly, maintaining good oral health is more important than maintaining your beauty. Dentists contend that the condition of your teeth has an impact on both your general health and the quality of your life.
How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy?
Here are ten best practices for your healthy teeth and healthy mouth:
Brush twice a day
It’s no more a secret that brushing twice a day is the key to cavity-free teeth. However, while tooth brushing in the morning is a routine practice, “before bed brushing” at night is something that is rarely practised. The decreased salivary flow and static tongue during sleep, provide ideal conditions for the action of the cavity-causing germs. Thus, “before bed brushing” is pivotal for removing the germs and food particles accumulated throughout the day.
Choosing the right toothpaste
Numerous brands of toothpaste are now available in the market with fascinating advertisements and colourful flavours. For all those who are living in non-fluoridated belts while selecting toothpaste, it is essential to check the ingredients to make sure it has adequate fluoride content. The suggested optimal fluoride level in the toothpaste is 1000 ppm to 1250 ppm. Fluoride helps to guard the teeth against cavities by making them stronger.
Practice the right tooth-brushing technique
Use small circular motions on the front and back including the top surface of each tooth, taking about 2 minutes. After brushing, avoid vigorous rinsing. A gentle rinsing helps retain the fluoride content of the toothpaste on the tooth surface for a longer time, thus facilitating its enhanced benefits. Brushing aggressively using back-and-forth strokes doesn’t really help clean the teeth, instead erodes the teeth causing sensitivity.
Take care of your toothbrushes
Using a soft-bristled brush is recommended and when used with the right method of brushing it’s effective in cleaning, yet gentle on the teeth. It is advised to change the toothbrush once in 3 months or when the bristles are frayed, whichever comes first. While capping the brush head after every usage looks fancy and protective, in reality, it provides a warm moist environment for the growth of more germs that will be transferred to the oral cavity the next time you brush. Thus, it’s advised to store your toothbrush after each use upright without covering its head in a clean cup/mug area with good sunlight, to facilitate drying.
