Good Oral Hygiene Practice
by Sara Gackstetter R.D.H. | 25 September, 2017
What does “good oral hygiene” really mean? The phrase “good oral hygiene” refers to three important practices you should do for taking the best care of your teeth and gum tissues. Mayo Clinic published an article discussing how the follow three practices can help improve your oral health. Furthermore, research shows that your oral health and overall health are connected more than previously thought.
• Brush 2 times daily and floss.
• Limit sugary and acidic drinks.
• Visit the dentist on a regular basis.
Together, these three steps will help prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it can save you money too.
One of the easiest steps to good oral hygiene is proper brushing. Things to remember while brushing, keep your brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. The teeth and tissues should be in contact with the bristles of your brush. A circular, sweeping motion should be used. Avoid aggressive, back and forth “scrubbing”. It is important to brush twice a day to avoid plaque buildup. Plaque will start forming on your teeth every 16 hours.
Flossing! We know, it’s the first thing left undone. However, flossing will remove food and plaque left in between the teeth that regular brushing will not reach. It is also important for proper care of the tissues, along the root surface to break up and remove plaque that will cause inflammation and gum disease.
Limit sodas (or “pop”, as a Minnesota kid would say!) and other sugary and acidic drinks. Minnesota Dental Association discuss in their campaign, to educate America on the repercussions of drinking soft drinks, that acid attacks from soda last up to 20 minutes; each new sip means another acid attack. Unfortunately, these drinks have become a daily habit for many people, especially kids, teens and young adults. This has become a leading cause of tooth decay. Acid in carbonated drinks, whether they have sugar or not, is the main cause of weakening tooth structure. The acid “attack” starts over with every sip. If you have a receding gum line, the acid will cause tooth decay on the exposed root surface. This is a concern for many adults.
Visit your dentist regularly. A full hygiene treatment should be done at least every 6 months. At this appointment, an exam is completed by the doctor and radiographs are taken to detect cavities and prevent future dental treatment.
We all understand that you should take care of your teeth for a pretty smile and to avoid toothaches. We should also understand how important it is to our total healthy. Tooth problems can lead to diabetes, heart disease and systemic infection.
Come see us soon, we’ll take good care of you!