Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is basically taking proper care of your teeth and gums in a way that they are clean and free of debris, gums do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, bad breath is not a regular problem, etc. Many of you do not follow proper cleaning tips that result in build-up of bacteria causing plaque and is often responsible for bad breath. A good oral hygiene routine is important to fight germs present in your mouth. Everyone knows the importance of good oral hygiene, but we often take it lightly so here are some tips that can help you in maintain a good oral hygiene easily:




Brushing:

A good oral hygiene starts with clean teeth. Follow the below listed brushing tips for overall oral cleaning:



•Take time while brushing your teeth and don't be in a rush. Brush your teeth twice daily- in the morning and in the night after you had your dinner.

•The brush that you use should be good quality so that soft bristles do not harm your gums. Use a fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth.

•While brushing your teeth, hold the toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and move it back and forth. Don't forget to brush the back side of your teeth and tongue as well as these are the areas that if left unclean produces germs. Don't brush harshly on your gums, teeth, and tongue and use your brush gently.

•Keep your toothbrush clean. Rinse it off with water soon after you finish brushing your teeth so that you use a clean brush each time. Place your toothbrush in an upright position so that bristles can dry up easily.

•Replace your toothbrush after every three to four months.

Flossing:

Flossing helps you clean the compact area in between your teeth that you can't clean with a brush. Tight spaces between your teeth or under your gumline is cleaned with dental floss. The food particles that get stuck between the teeth can be removed only with dental floss. Ensure a good oral hygiene with flossing.

Rinse:

An antimicrobial mouth rinse help reduces plaque between your teeth so use a good mouthwash or an oral irrigator. You can use an antimicrobial mouthwash twice a day in addition to daily brushing and flossing to remove the bacteria produced in your mouth. Make sure that you use an appropriate mouthwash that does not contain alcohol as it may sting or make your mouth dry. Oral irrigator could be, however, could be a better alternative.

Visit your Dentist:

You should pay regular visits to your dentist to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. Visit your dentist at least once or twice a year. The condition when you need to visit your dentist apart from maintaining good oral hygiene are:



•Swollen, tender or bleeding gums

•Tooth ache

•Changes in teeth alignment

•Sensitivity to hot and cold eatables

•Regular bad breath