Some people think oral health is just about having a nice smile, but the truth is that oral health impacts other parts of your body. Oral disease can lead to heart problems, stroke, diabetes, and more serious issues in the future. That’s why it’s important to keep up with oral care and practice good oral hygiene habits every day.
Even though most of us brush our teeth twice a day, we rarely think about the importance of oral health. Not only is it important to take care of your teeth, but many serious consequences can result from not taking proper care of your mouth. This article will discuss what oral hygiene practices are best for you and how prioritizing your oral health can help prevent oral diseases.
How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
Oral health is a topic that many people don’t consider until it’s too late. Most of us are aware of the consequences of not taking care of our teeth, but we still neglect to take steps to improve our oral health. Below are the ways on how you can keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Brush your teeth twice a day: This is very important because it removes plaque, the bacteria that cause oral infections. If you have braces or clear alignment devices from a dental lab, you need to brush your teeth after every meal. After all, food debris can be stuck around your teeth, leading to oral infection.
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Floss daily
It removes plaque in areas that are difficult for a toothbrush to reach, like between the teeth or on the gums near the root of each tooth. You should also floss after brushing because it helps wash away bacteria from surfaces where the toothbrush can’t reach.
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Limit sugary foods and drinks
You should limit your sugar intake because too much sugar reduces the oral pH level, which means that oral bacteria will thrive on sugars instead of being eliminated by them. Sugary food also contains acids that break down the enamel in teeth over time.
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Drink lots of water
Water helps improve your oral health because it helps the oral tissues to rehydrate. In addition to this, water also makes saliva more acidic, which is a great defense against oral bacteria.
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Brush your tongue
Tongue brushing can help freshen your breath by removing oral bacteria that cause bad smells from the mouth. It’s important to mention that this step should be done in addition to brushing the teeth. This is because oral bacteria exist on your tongue that might not be cleaned easily.
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Use a mouthwash with fluoride
Mouthwashes help remove oral debris and plaque and make teeth feel clean again. Fluoride helps prevent cavities, so it’s important to include this ingredient in any mouthwash you may use.
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Get regular dental check-ups
This is important because regular dental check-ups can help you have your oral health evaluated and monitored for any oral diseases or problems that may need treatment before they turn into serious, chronic conditions. In addition to this, a dental check-up and oral exam can be a good time to discuss any oral care or treatment that you may need.
Oral Diseases You Should Be Aware Of
Below are the most common oral diseases that you should be aware of:
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Tooth decay
Tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria breaking down carbohydrates from food. The oral bacteria then convert the sugar into acids that cause tooth decay and cavities.
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Gum disease
This refers to several oral diseases that can lead to gum recession, inflammation and bleeding gums, etc., all of which may necessitate aggressive oral treatment such as surgery or antibiotics. Gum disease can be severe and lead to oral cancer.
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Periodontitis
This bacterial infection affects the gums surrounding teeth, causing them to recede from the tooth surface. It may also cause abscesses or periodontal pockets (gaps between your teeth). If left untreated, it could cause tooth loss.
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Gingivitis
Inflamed and bleeding gums characterize this oral disease. Although this oral disease can be treated with good oral hygiene, the only way to get rid of it completely is through a dental cleaning.
Paying Attention to Your Oral Health
Your oral health is important, and you should not neglect it. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss when necessary, see the dentist regularly for oral exams and cleanings to prevent oral problems from getting worse or developing into oral cancer. Even though the process can be very taxing, the guarantee will be having clean and healthy teeth and gums that will allow you to improve your smile and confidence at the same time.
