PRACTICING GOOD ORAL HYGIENE
· It means keeping the mouth, teeth and gums clean and healthy.
· It helps in preventing dental problems like gingivitis and bad breath.
· It also helps in healing and regeneration of tissues in conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis, oral cysts and wisdom tooth extraction.
· It makes you enjoy your food, feel good, and allows you to laugh without inhibitions.
1. What is good oral hygiene?
· Keeping your mouth clean will
o Keep your teeth free from debris
o Prevent your gums from hurting or bleeding when you brush or floss.
o Keep bad breath away.
· Use dental products that contain fluoride.
· Don’t brush with salt, coal or brick powder as it doesn’t help your oral hygiene.
· Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day for at least two minutes and floss regularly.
· Make sure you brush properly with the correct technique.
· Massage gums with toothbrush bristles and use a tongue cleaner daily.
2. What are other oral health cares?
· Rinse your mouth after every meal, using a fluoride mouth rinse, with your doctor’s advice, as it prevents tooth decay.
· As a rule, never ignore a dental disorder.
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Try interdental aids if you wear dental braces and visit your doctor every six months.
· You can try special cleaning aids for cleaning dental implants.
· Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals.
· Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for maintaining the health of the gums.
· Copper, zinc, iodine, iron and potassium are also needed for good oral health.
· Avoid junk food and never bite your nails if you feel nervous.
· Stop smoking and tobacco chewing as they are harmful to teeth as well.
· Ensure that children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement in some form.
· Discourage children from sucking their thumb.