Tips to maintain good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth clean and free of disease and pain. This involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, and visiting the dentist for routine cleanings and checkups. Plaque buildup from food particles, bacteria, and acids from sugary foods can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.

How does oral hygiene prevent dental problems?

Good oral hygiene habits can prevent dental problems. Cavities are a common dental problem. These small pits in the teeth are caused by decay. Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up on teeth and contains bacteria. The bacteria in plaque eat away at the enamel on the teeth, causing cavities. If you keep up with your oral hygiene, this bacteria can be eliminated.

Good Oral Hygiene Practices

• Brush twice daily

Brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste helps maintain good oral health. Ideally, you should brush first thing in the morning and before bed. However, if you brush regularly throughout your day, this is still good for you.

Brushing your teeth correctly is just as important as how often you brush. When brushing, you should hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and carefully clean each surface of each tooth. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes.

• Floss every day

While brushing is important, flossing is just as important because it removes food particles and plaque buildup from between teeth that your toothbrush can't reach. You can also use interdental brushes, dental tape, dental water jets, and oral irrigators.

• Eat a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet is as important for your oral health as it is for your general health. A balanced diet will help your body get the nutrients that it needs. This, in turn, will help your body fight infection and disease. Eating a balanced diet means getting enough vitamins and minerals, as well as limiting your intake of sugary foods and drinks. These foods and drinks tend to stay on your teeth longer than other foods. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar, and this can cause cavities.

• See your dentist regularly

Seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups is the best way to ensure good oral health. The dentist will clean your teeth, perform an oral exam, and check for signs of serious problems such as oral cancer.

Regular cleanings are essential to keep your teeth healthy and free of decay and gum disease.

• Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco

Cigarettes and other tobacco products contain harmful ingredients that cause teeth stains and tooth loss. Tobacco users are also likely to experience bad breath, dry mouth, and oral infections.

• Use an antibacterial mouth rinse regularly

An antibacterial mouth rinse can help remove plaque and residue from your teeth. Look for a rinse that contains fluoride. This can help to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.

• Consider dental sealants to protect your teeth

Many children and teens benefit from dental sealants. These plastic coatings protect the chewing surfaces of teeth from decay-causing bacteria, which can make teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay.

Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, as they are the most likely to develop cavities. Fluoride treatments are often performed before sealants are placed.

Please contact our dental practice in Anaheim Hills, CA, to have a consultation with our Dentist in Anaheim Hills. Please call us at (714) 974-0949 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.