Good Oral Habits

 

What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth. Good oral hygiene can help protect against tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.

Why is oral hygiene important

It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease and bad breath. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day can help keep your mouth clean and healthy.

Mouthwash is an effective way to clean your teeth and gums, and freshen your breath. Mouthwash can be used to clean your teeth before bed, in between meals, or any time you feel the need to freshen your breath.

A healthy mouth is essential for preventing dental disease and bad breath.

Common types of dental disease include tooth decay (cavities, dental caries) and gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Tooth decay is the result of acids attacking the tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that leads to inflammation of the gums. Periodontitis is more serious and can damage the tissues and bone that support your teeth.

There are many tools available for cleaning between the teeth, including floss, tape, and interdental brushes. The best tool to use depends on the individual's preference. Flossing is an effective way to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gumline. Tape is less likely to shred and can be easier to use for those with larger spaces between their teeth. Interdental brushes are small, toothbrush-like devices that can be used to clean between the teeth.

Sometimes white or straight teeth are associated with oral hygiene. However, a hygienic mouth can have stained teeth or crooked teeth. To improve the appearance of their teeth, people may use tooth whitening treatments and orthodontics. These treatments can be helpful in making teeth look their best, but they come with risks. Misuse of tooth whitening products, for example, may lead to tooth damage. Orthodontics is the use of braces and other oral devices to correct the alignment of teeth. This treatment can be helpful for children who have crooked teeth or for adults who experience problems with tooth alignment.

Brushing and flossing are important for maintaining dental health, but they do not completely remove all plaque and tartar from teeth. Regular teeth cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist help to remove any remaining plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing missed. During a teeth cleaning, special instruments are used to scrape plaque and tartar off of the surfaces of teeth. The process of having your teeth cleaned by a professional is called a prophylaxis. Prophylaxis means to prevent or control the spread of disease. In this case, the disease is dental decay. Dental cleanings help to prevent gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Professional teeth cleanings are important for maintaining oral

Although many people take dental hygiene for granted, keeping a clean and healthy smile requires some effort. Routine brushing and flossing are necessary to remove dental plaque and tartar, which can lead to a number of oral problems like gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities, and tooth decay. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, severe gum disease is responsible for around one-third of all adult tooth loss. Good oral hygiene not only helps prevent these problems but also boosts self-esteem and overall confidence. A beautiful smile is always worth the extra effort.

In the past, people used different forms of tooth cleaning tools. Even though there is no direct evidence, historians believe that teeth cleaning began in the prehistoric era. This has been verified by various excavations done throughout the world, in which chew sticks, tree twig bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills have been found. In historic times, different forms of tooth cleaning tools have been used. The first toothbrush was invented in China. It was a brush with hog bristle. In 1780, William Addis of England created the first mass-produced toothbrush. In 1857, the first toothpaste was sold in a jar. In 1873, Colgate started selling toothpaste in a tube.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the first dental hygiene tools may date as far back as 6000 BC. This has been verified by various excavations done throughout the world, in which chew sticks, tree twig bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills have been found. In historic times, different forms of tooth cleaning tools have been used. The first toothbrush was likely developed in China during the Tang Dynasty. The first bristle toothbrush was made with hog bristles. Europeans did not start using bristle toothbrushes until the 17th century. In 1938, nylon bristles were invented and became the standard by which all toothbrushes are made today. Various materials have been used to make toothbrush handles including bone

Indian medicine (Ayurveda) has used the neem tree, or daatun, and its products to create teeth cleaning twigs and similar products; a person chews one end of the neem twig until it somewhat resembles the bristles of a toothbrush, and then uses it to brush the teeth.

In the Muslim world, the miswak, or siwak, made from a twig or root, has antiseptic properties and has been widely used since the Islamic Golden Age. The plant is also used to clean the teeth and to stimulate gingival growth.

Oral hygiene is essential for preventing tartar build-up, the most common problem associated with bad dental hygiene. Regular dental cleanings by a dental hygienist will help to remove plaque and tartar, which can cause problems like inflammation and decay.

Problems that affect Teeth

The purpose of this document is to introduce the reader to the various sources of problems that can affect their teeth that can lead to tooth decay. Two main problems are.

Dental plaque

Dental plaque, also known as dental biofilm, is a sticky, yellow film consisting of a wide range of bacteria that attaches to the tooth surfaces and can be visible around the gum line. This film can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and other dental problems. Dental plaque can be removed by a professional dental hygienist with a toothbrush and water or a pea-sized amount of chlorhexidine gluconate.

The sticky film known as dental plaque can quickly reappear on teeth after they have been cleaned. Regular brushing helps to remove plaque before it turns into tartar, which is harder to remove. Dental plaque is a yellow film consisting of a wide range of bacteria. These bacteria attach to tooth surfaces and can be visible around the gum line. Dental plaque can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and other dental problems. Dental plaque can be removed by a professional dental hygienist with a toothbrush and water or a pea-sized amount of chlorhexidine gluconate. Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic that helps reduce plaque and gingivitis.

Calculus

Calculus is the hardening of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. The longer plaque stays on teeth, the harder it becomes to remove. Over time, plaque can turn into calculus. Calculus is difficult to remove, and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Beneficial foods for Teeth

·        Community water fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to adjust the natural fluoride concentration of a community's water supply to the level recommended for optimal dental health, approximately 1.0 ppm (parts per million). This practice has been shown to be effective in reducing cavities and promoting dental health. It is important to note that community water fluoridation is different from using fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash, which are applied topically to the teeth. Community water fluoridation is a much more efficient way to deliver fluoride to the population because it allows everyone to receive the benefits of fluoride, regardless of their ability to purchase or use fluoride products.

·        Some people choose to abstain from milk and cheese for religious or moral reasons, but these foods are also excellent sources of calcium and phosphate, rich in vitamins B12 and D, which are necessary for a healthy immune system. All of these foods are great sources of calcium and phosphate, which are important for strong teeth. Milk, cheese, nuts, and chicken are all especially good for this because they are rich in these nutrients.

·        Green and black tea are both rich in polyphenols, which act as suppressors of the bacteria that cause plaque. This makes them good choices for sustaining oral health, and they can be consumed during or after a meal.

·        Foods high in fiber (like vegetables) may help to increase the flow of saliva, and a bolus of fibrefibre like celery string, fresh carrot or broccoli can force saliva into trapped food inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where over 80% of cavities occur, to dilute carbohydrates like sugar.