The average person has about 10,000 bacteria living in their mouth. The good news is that your teeth are designed to fight off these microscopic organisms. However, if there’s a lot of plaque built up on your teeth or an infection as gingivitis develops, then it can be very difficult for your body to keep up with the higher bacterial numbers. This causes all sorts of problems including bad breath and tooth decay.
Tips for Proper Oral Hygiene
We all know practicing good oral care helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, but are you doing these practices correctly? Brush your teeth twice a day and for two entire minutes every time. You can either use an electric or a manual toothbrush. Using the correct brushing technique is the key. Supervise children under eight when brushing their teeth because they do not have the manual dexterity yet to brush their teeth the right way. Plaque disclosing tablets can be kind of a fun way to help find areas missed when brushing. It dies the plaque you missed a color. You can even choose the color sometimes, and it might be fun for children.
Using a manual toothbrush is completely fine, but electric toothbrushes can be a bit more efficient.
Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. At a 45-degree angle at the gum line, form little circles with the toothbrush so that you remove as much debris as possible. While doing this you gradually move, making sure to stop at each tooth for about five rotations. Brush the outside surfaces of the teeth and then move on to the biting surface, followed by the inside. Use the bristles to poke into the gum margins, removing any bits of debris. Another recommendation is to spend thirty seconds per section. Separate your mouth into four sections. These sections go from the front tooth to the back tooth, on both the bottom and the top, and on the left and the right. Again, brush for thirty seconds in each section, making the total time you brush your teeth two minutes.
Even though brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush, if done correctly, works just fine, one of the ways that you can help yourself is by getting an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes can be more efficient because they have timed pressure sensors and paces to help you brush your teeth the right way. All you have to do is hold it in place and move it along your teeth. Whichever toothbrush you prefer, remember to replace the toothbrush or your toothbrush head every three months, sooner if needed.
Continuing to use your old, worn-out toothbrush head can be dangerous for your teeth since it will not get them as clean as a fresh toothbrush will. It can start to be too abrasive for your teeth as well. Be vigilant and monitor your toothbrush head yourself. If it’s fading, if the bristles are showing wear then replace it.
In between teeth, there are small gaps. Keep those areas clean because food debris stains can occur.
When brushing your teeth, the toothbrush bristles do not reach all the crevices in between the teeth. If your gums bleed when you floss, it is because you are not flossing enough. What happens is that bits of food and debris get stuck in those gaps between your teeth and inflame your gums. When your gums are inflamed, they bleed. One way to stop your gums from bleeding is to floss and clean in between your teeth regularly not just on the day of your dental visit like so many of us are guilty of.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
People are exposed daily to different kinds of bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems. One way you can reduce your exposure is by practicing proper oral hygiene habits like the ones in this article. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using good toothpaste. Spit out the toothpaste but don’t rinse it out and clean in between your teeth as well. Another proactive thing you can do is try to reduce your sugar and acid intake in your diet. Be mindful that smoking and alcohol also affect your teeth. Visit your dental hygienist regularly and your dentist annually.
