Oral hygiene includes all the processes for keeping the mouth clean and healthy.
Good oral hygiene is necessary for the prevention of dental caries, periodontal diseases, bad breath and other dental problems.
The three main steps in maintaining good dental hygiene are:
toothbrushing, flossing teeth, and visiting your dentist regularly.
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ORAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS & INSTRUCTIONS
The
necessary ingredients for a modern TOOTHPASTE.
How to choose yours and your children's toothpaste....
For good oral hygiene you need
the right TOOTHBRUSH for you and your
children. When to change it and how to store it for better results....
Toothbrushing
is not enough, if you don't do it the right way. Learn the correct technique for BRUSHING TEETH....
FLOSSING TEETH
is essential for preventing gum disease. It's time to learn how to use
dental floss.....
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NUTRITION AND DENTAL HEALTH
Our nutrition can play an important role in maintaining good oral health. Learn about the Relationship of Nutrition and Dental Health....
A collection of useful dental hygiene tips about HEALTHY NUTRITION for healthy teeth....
HEALTHY FOODS , a list of foods safe for your teeth....
BAD FOODS , a list of foods that may cause tooth decay....
Effects of poor oral hygiene
The main purpose of dental hygiene is to prevent the build-up of plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth.
Bacterial plaque accumulated on teeth because of poor oral hygene is the causative factor of the major dental problems.
Poor oral hygiene allows the accumulation of acid producing bacteria on the surface of the teeth.
The acid demineralizes the tooth enamel causing tooth decay (cavities).
Dental plaque can also invade and infect the gums causing gum disease and periodontitis.
In both conditions, the final effect of poor oral hygiene is the loss of one or more teeth.
You should not wait until a tooth is lost, just then to understand the importance of oral hygiene and preventive care.
Many health problems of the mouth, such as oral thrush, trench mouth, bad breath and others are considered as effect of poor dental hygiene.
Most of these dental and mouth problems may be avoided just by maintaining good oral hygiene.
Importance of good oral hygiene
Prevention is always better than treatment.
Good oral hygiene habits will keep away most of the dental problems saving you from toothaches and costly dental treatments.
The interesting part is that it can be achieved by dedicating only some minutes every day to dental hygiene care.
A large number of various oral hygiene products, beyond the usual toothpaste and toothbrush, are available in the market to help you in this effort.
Unfortunately, most of us remember the importance of oral hygiene instructions only when a problem occurs.
Research has shown that while patient activation can show an immediate improvement in oral hygene habits,
only a small percentage keeps the same standards six months later.
Maintaining good dental hygeine should be a lifelong everyday habit.
Awareness regarding the importance of oral hygiene has significantly increased in the developed countries, but contrary to that,
the modern dietary lifestyle habits are posing a greater risk for oral health.
Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly.
Good oral health is important to your overall well-being.
Daily preventive oral care, with proper brushing and flossing, will help stop dental problems before they develop and are much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.
How to maintain good oral hygiene
It is important to learn how to maintain good dental hygiene from early childhood.
Parents should teach their children the proper use of oral hygiene products.
Good oral hygiene should be a joined effort involving you and your dentist. Not all of us have the same needs.
Ask your dentist how to maintain good oral hygiene.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will give you the proper dental hygeine instructions and teach you the correct way of brushing and flossing.
The dentist will identify your individual needs and help you build your own oral care plan.
Signs of good oral hygiene
Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:
Your teeth are clean and free of debris
Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
Bad breath is not a constant problem
The most important oral hygiene instructions
In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay,
gum disease and other dental problems. These instructions include:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal, with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss your teeth at least once a day
Watch your diet. Avoid sugar and limit snacks between meals
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Visit your dentist at least every 6 months.
Have a dental professional cleaning regularly.
Teaching dental patients about oral hygiene and correct way of brushing and flossing,
is one of the main duties of a dental hygienist.
The dental hygienist is the dental professional that has to 'inspire' the passion for good daily oral hygiene,
that will keep you away of dental problems.
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