Dental Hygiene Tips That Will Promote Good Oral Health

Your oral health is an essential part of your everyday life. Proper oral health is fundamental for your overall health. The human body is a very complex interconnected system that one area cannot be neglected if you are to enjoy a healthy life. Believe it or not, your oral health is a gateway into your body.

For this reason, dental hygiene is of paramount importance regardless of your age. Most people tend to put their teeth on the back burner simply because their teeth are sturdy. Most people forget that their teeth aren’t indestructible. However, your journey to a healthy smile starts with you understanding more about your oral health.

Is Your Oral Health Connected to Your Overall Health?

The answer is a resounding yes. A skilled dentist like ours can quickly tell if you have other health issues by following the clues in your mouth.

Your mouth, just like the other areas of your body, swarms with bacteria, mainly harmless bacteria. However, there still exists harmful bacteria that can wreak havoc. Your mouth is also the entry point to respiratory and digestive tracts, so some harmful bacteria in the mouth can cause illnesses.

Proper oral hygiene and your body’s natural defenses typically keep the bacteria at bay. However, when you neglect to take good care of your teeth, you run the risk of getting oral infections and other issues such as tooth decay and periodontitis.

On the other hand, certain medications such as decongestants, antidepressants, pain killers, and antihistaminescan lead to a reduction in the flow of saliva. This increases your chances of getting infections.

At the same time, there are certain health conditions and diseases that are connected to your oral health, such as:

• Cardiovascular diseasesare linked to infections and inflammation that oral bacteria cause
• Endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart chambers) occurs when there is an infection from another part of your body, such as your mouth.
• Pregnancy and other birth complications have been linked to periodontitis, which has been believed to cause premature births.

Inversely, diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis can affect your oral health.

Oral Hygiene Tips

When it comes to having healthy teeth, oral habits such as tooth cleaning and brushing are essential. However, these techniques have to be carried out correctly. Here are some of the tips:

Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is the first line of defense when it comes to fighting off infections. Consider the following brushing techniques:

• Brush at least twice each day. Don’t be in a hurry. To do a thorough job, you will need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Brushing after you have immediately eaten is ill-advised, especially if you have eaten something acidic. You can also brush your tongue with a tongue scraper or toothbrush to remove bacteria.
• Use the right equipment. A soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpasteare recommended. A battery-operated or electric toothbrush isa better option than manual brushing when it comes to reducing plaque.
• Practice good brushing technique. Always brush at a 45-degree angle towards where the teeth and gum meet. Then be gentle as you brush in a circular back and forth motions. Remember to brush all your teeth’s surfaces; the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces.
• Keep your brush clean. After brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush with running water. Then store it in an upright position in an aerated place to allow it to dry. Keep it away from other toothbrushes to avoid contamination.
• Be aware of the right time to replace your toothbrush. Always remember to get a new toothbrush after every three months or when the bristles become worn out.

Flossing Your Teeth

Brushing does most of the work, but not all of the work;this is why flossing is essential. Flossing removes food debris in hard to reach places. Just like brushing, do not be in a hurry. Take a tooth at a time and be gentle so that you don’t hurt your gums.

Other Oral Hygiene Tips

You can try and invest in mouth rinses that have antimicrobial agents and fluoride to promote oral health. Also, toothpicks and other objects that can injure your gums are to be avoided. If you smoke, it would be best to quit smoking.

Also, misaligned teeth can make it difficult for you toclean your teeth properly. Orthodontics can help rectify such problems. Hence, regular dental visits are quite vital in your journey to a healthier smile. You can contact our dentist at Station Dental Group in Aurora if you need preventive dentistry or any other dental services.