Practicing Good Dental Hygiene

What is Good Oral Hygiene?

The Ancient Romans regarded poor oral hygiene as being shameful- known offenders were believed to suffer from foul breath, and were oftentimes unwelcome as guests at the dinner table. By the Middle Ages, dentifrices and mouthwashes were quickly becoming mainstream in an attempt combat bad breath while mild abrasives containing alum were used as a precursor to toothpaste. Oral hygiene has come a long way since then, yet the fundamentals remain the same. This means:

• Teeth are clean and pain-free. The teeth are well-set in the gums, not loose and are free of debris.
• Gums are pink and spongy not hard, red or receeding. They also will not hurt or bleed with brushing or flossing. Pain or bleeding during routine dental care may be a sign of gum disease or another underlying disorder.
• Persistant bad breath is not a problem. While most cases of bad breath are due to diet, persistent bad breath is a sign of tooth decay.

Make an appointment to see your dentist if you are experiencing any of these problems, or pain during brushing or flossing.

How to practice Good Dental Hygiene

Dental Health at Home

Practicing good dental hygiene begins at home. The goals of dental hygiene are to fight the build-up of plaque in around the teeth and gums, to fight tooth decay and to decrease the chances of developing of gum disease. Good dental hygiene should begin at home at an early age. Adults who have grown to neglect their teeth oftentimes develop infections in the tissues surrounding their teeth leading to tooth decay and premature tooth loss. Here are a few basic principles to follow:

• Use only approved dental cleaning tools and toothpaste. Try to find dental products containing fluoride and using an extra soft toothbrush.
• Spend an adequate amount of time on your oral care routine. It is recommended that you should devote at least three minutes brushing your teeth two times a day.
• Floss at least once a day, every day to reach those hard to reach places between teeth.
• Eat a well balanced diet and avoid foods high in sugar.

Proper Brushing Technique: The Key to How to Practice Good Dental Hygiene

1. Hold the brush at a 45° angle against the gumline. Gently sweep and/or roll the brush away from the gumline.
2. Gently work the toothbrush the outside, inside and along the chewing surfaces of each tooth using back and forth strokes.
3. Gently brush the top of the tongue to freshen breath and remove bacteria. Be careful not to push the toothbrush too far back to avoid gagging.

Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene increases your chances of accumulating bacteria around the gumline, causing gums to become red and painfully inflamed. If left untreated the accumulated plaque could lead to gum disease, and a widening of spaces between your teeth. These spaces could lead to the loss of bone and tissues supporting your teeth, causing them to fall out. Fortunately, the effects of early gum disease can be reversed with regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene habits.