A healthy smile not only makes you look and feel good, but ensures that your teeth and jaws can function properly to eat and speak. This is why maintaining good oral hygiene is extremely important for children and adults of all ages!
What are the basic steps to maintaining good oral hygiene?
By following all these steps below, you will be able to prevent cavities and remove plaque to ensure good oral health.
- Brushing your teeth twice a day, using a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day, using dental floss to clean the tight spaces between your teeth.
- Rinse with the appropriate type of mouthwash.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco products.
- Visit the dentist at least twice a year and get your teeth professionally cleaned.
What foods can help improve oral hygiene?
Eating a healthy diet does more for you than just improve your health! By eating a balanced diet you can maintain your oral hygiene and keep your teeth and jaw bones strong and healthy. Make sure you’re eating plenty of the following foods:
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables – According to the American Dental Association, foods with fiber tend to cleanse your mouth and also get your saliva flowing. After good home dental care, eating fiber-rich foods is your best natural defense against cavities and gum disease. About 20 minutes after eating foods containing sugars or starches, your saliva begins to reduce the effects of the acids and enzymes that attack your teeth. Since saliva contains traces of calcium and phosphate, it also restores minerals to areas of teeth that have lost them from the bacterial acids.
Cheese, milk, yogurt and other dairy products – The calcium in cheese and the calcium and phosphates in milk help to put back minerals your teeth may have lost due to the consumption of other foods.
Green tea and black tea: Both green and black tea contain polyphenols that interact with plaque bacteria and either kill or hold back bacteria that prevents it from growing or producing acid that attacks teeth. Also depending on the type of water you use to brew your tea, a cup of tea can also be a source of fluoride.
Are there certain foods that can cause bad breath or oral hygiene issues?
There are many different types of food that your hygienist or dentist will tell you to stay away from to keep your oral hygiene at its best. It’s not that they don’t want you to enjoy them, but that if you indulge too much or don’t properly take care of your teeth, eating these foods could lead to tooth decay or other dental issues.
Sticky candy and sweets – If you have a big sweet tooth, try going for candies that can be eaten or dissolve in your mouth quickly. Candy and sweets such as lollipops, caramels and cough drops that contain refined sugars are the worst because they take a longer time to eat. These types of candies produce dental plaque quickly if you do not brush and floss immediately after to remove the sugars off of the tooth surface.
Starchy foods that can get stuck in your mouth – For instance, soft breads and potato chips can get trapped between your teeth.
Carbonated soft drinks – These types of drinks are the leading source of added sugar among children and teens. Besides being loaded with sugar, most soft drinks contain phosphoric and citric acids that wear away tooth enamel.
Caffeinated drinks – Although coffee and tea are known to be beneficial for certain reasons, they contain caffeine which is known to contribute to a dry mouth. A dry mouth will contribute to bad breath because it promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
Are there any myths regarding oral hygiene?
A popular myth is that Gum Disease isn’t very common. Unfortunately, Gum Disease is very common and a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 47{9f09320f667d4c06b011c33cbd5f998531690fa14585a4521401ddd724b9ed96} of adults aged 30 and older have some form of gum disease. As we age, we naturally become more susceptible to infections and oral diseases, including those in the gums. It is also noted that 64{9f09320f667d4c06b011c33cbd5f998531690fa14585a4521401ddd724b9ed96} of adults aged 65 and older have either moderate or severe gum disease, making it a serious dental health issue.
At Go Dental Clinic, we want to help you keep up with your oral health to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. If you’re interested in booking a Dental Check-up appointment, please Contact Us on 04-397-9522 at any time to book a consultation with our General Dentists or click here.
