Understanding the basics of oral hygiene

According to FDI’s definition of oral health says, “Oral health involves the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and show emotions through various facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort, or disease of the craniofacial complex (head, face, and oral cavity).”

Oral hygiene refers to how the mouth appears and feels. No matter how old you are, good oral health is vital to your overall health and well-being.
FDI stands for Federation Dentaire Internationale, the French name for the World Dental Federation.

What is oral hygiene?

Maintaining a healthy, disease-free mouth is known as oral hygiene. It entails regular dental checkups, including cleanings, exams, X-rays, tooth brushing, and flossing.

What is the importance of oral hygiene?

There is evidence linking oral health to overall health. For example, it has been said that diabetes can cause gum diseases like periodontitis to start and get worse. There is also a link between overeating and tooth decay, being overweight, and getting diabetes.

How can we maintain good oral hygiene?

If you practice good oral hygiene habits (brushing and flossing), you can maintain a good chance of keeping your dental health for the rest of your life.

1. By brushing 

Brushing your teeth, at a bare minimum, twice a day is not just a great idea but also a requirement for optimal health. However, brushing is about removing the plaque from your teeth and removing any food particles that have fallen into your gums and between the teeth.

Brushing tips for maintaining oral hygiene are as follows: 

• Make use of fluoride toothpaste. 
• Fluoride is what keeps teeth protected from decay (cavities). 
• It prevents tooth decay by strengthening the tooth’s hard outer surface, known as enamel.
• To clean between the gums and teeth, angle the bristles towards the gum line.
• Brush with small, circular motions. 
• Brush each tooth on all sides. Do not scrub vigorously back and forth.

2. Dental flossing 

Flossing is a daily oral hygiene routine that we all need to follow. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a priority and good for the rest of your body!

The longer you floss regularly, the better off your teeth will be—and so will you! Flossing helps remove plaque between your teeth, which can cause bleeding and tooth decay. It also helps prevent gum diseases by reducing inflammation in the gums.

Some individuals find flossing difficult due to arthritis or other conditions. If floss is challenging to hold, try a plastic or wooden dental pick or one of the following:

• Floss holder: A small device with dental floss so that it does not need to be wrapped around the fingers. Some individuals find flossing difficult due to arthritis or other conditions. If floss is challenging to hold, try a plastic or wooden dental pick or one of the following:
• Floss threader: Like a needle and thread, floss is threaded through tight spaces.
• Water flosser: This is a handheld water sprayer.
• Interdental brushes: These brushes are designed specifically to clean between the teeth.

3. Rinsing

Oral rinsing is an essential part of brushing and flossing. You want to ensure that your mouth is as clean as possible, so it’s a good idea to rinse after every meal.

You can use a mouthwash that contains antibacterial ingredients like chlorhexidine gluconate or benzalkonium chloride to help keep your teeth from becoming stained by food or drinks with a high acid content (like lemon juice).

 Suppose you’re eating something sweet for the first time in a while. In that case, you should avoid rinsing your mouth with water and instead spit out the remains so that bacteria don’t have time to colonise your teeth before you rinse. 

4. Regular dental visits

Dental visits are essential to keeping your mouth healthy. The dentist can check for tooth caries, gum disease, and other symptoms of tooth infection and provide a dental treatment plan.

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone should visit the dentist twice a year for routine cleaning, oral hygiene, and tests—but some people may need more frequent visits if they have certain health conditions or risk factors (such as smoking).

Read more – Dental Healthcare tips by Dentists

What are the effects of poor oral hygiene on overall health?

Oral and overall health problems are caused by poor oral hygiene. Chronic health problems associated with poor dental hygiene include:

a. Endocarditis 

This bacterium infects the heart’s inner lining, chambers, and valves. Bacteria enter the bloodstream through the mouth and attach themselves to heart tissue. If the infection is not treated immediately, it can become fatal.

b. Cardiovascular disease 

Plaque enters the heart, arteries, and blood vessels via the mouth. Plaque typically accumulates in blood vessels, obstructing arteries and causing blood clots. 

c. Diabetes

When gum disease causes inflammation in the mouth, the body’s ability to use insulin and turn sugars in the blood into energy starts to get worse. Since insulin isn’t being used, blood pressure tends to rise.

d. Pregnancy 

Due to hormonal fluctuations in the body’s chemistry, pregnancy can occasionally cause periodontal disease. Plaque and bacteria can enter the bloodstream due to periodontal disease, affecting the fetus. Low birth weights, preterm births, and infections have been linked to gum disease.

What are some tips for maintaining good oral hygiene?

Keep your teeth and gums healthy by following these helpful tips:

• Use fluoride toothpaste twice daily when brushing your teeth.
• Regular interdental brushing helps to remove plaque. Use dental floss, a special toothbrush, or a wooden or plastic pick, as a dentist directs. Also, consider using a floss holder, threader, or water flosser.
• Go to the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
• During the office visit, your dentist or dental hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment, such as a varnish or foam, if you are at increased risk for tooth decay (for instance, if you have a dry mouth due to medications you take). Or, the dentist may suggest a fluoride gel or mouthwash at home.
• Your dentist might recommend more frequent visits if you have diabetes or another illness that increases your risk of developing gum disease.
• Don’t smoke. If you have a habit of smoking, you are more likely to get gum disease. If you smoke and want to stop, there are many ways to get help.
• If you want to get pregnant, check your teeth. Because of the changing hormones during pregnancy, a woman may get gingivitis and have gums that swell and bleed easily. During pregnancy, taking care of your teeth and gums is especially important to keep them healthy.

Oral hygiene tips for babies

• Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe the gums twice a day to eliminate bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.
  Do this in the morning after the first feeding and before bed.
• When the first teeth come in, brush them twice daily with plain water and a soft, small-bristled toothbrush.
• By your baby’s first birthday, you should take them to the dentist to look for signs of dental problems.
• Talk to your dentist or doctor about giving your child fluoride varnish as soon as the first tooth comes in.
• If you want fluoride toothpaste on a child under two, consult your doctor or dentist first.

Oral hygiene tips for children

Must Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush your child’s teeth using them until they have good brushing skills.
• If your child is under six, keep an eye on how they brush their teeth. Make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste after using a pea-sized amount; instead, have them spit it out.
• When necessary, request that your child’s dentist apply dental sealants.
• Cavities are twice as likely to happen to kids from low-income families than kids from high-income families.
• Fluoride-containing tap water should be consumed.

Read more- Types Of Dentists: Which One Is Best For You

Oral health facts

• For overall health and well-being, oral health is crucial.
• The three oral conditions that significantly affect general health and quality of life are dental caries, severe gum disease, and severe tooth loss. Infections and pain brought on by oral disease may cause eating, speaking, or learning difficulties. Social interactions and employment prospects may also be impacted. By the age of 8, 52% of kids have cavities in their primary (baby) teeth.
• Currently, one in four adults (20–64) have cavities.
• Children who receive dental sealants and fluoridated water can avoid cavities and save money by avoiding costly dental care.
• Diabetes and tobacco use are two risk factors for gum disease.
• 8–9 Patients benefit, and money is saved when medical-dental programs for chronic disease prevention and oral health are combined.

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