Good Oral Hygiene - How It Benefits Oral Health

Good oral hygiene means keeping your mouth clean and free of bacteria. This involves keeping your teeth, gums, and tongue clean. Oral health doesn’t only affect the appearance of your smile. It can also affect your overall health, and that’s a major reason why it’s so vital that patients practice proper oral hygiene.

How to maintain good oral hygiene?

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day

Brushing twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is important for keeping your smile healthy. When you brush, you remove plaque and bacteria that naturally reside in your mouth. If you brush regularly, you can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.

• Flossing

Flossing your teeth every day is an important habit that you should adopt. Flossing prevents tooth decay by removing plaque that forms between your teeth.

• Regular professional cleanings

Dental cleanings are an essential part of maintaining good oral health. No matter the reason, neglecting your dental cleanings can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and other serious dental issues. The best way to avoid this from occurring is to visit your dentist for routine cleanings every six months. Routine dental cleanings allow your dentist to spot small problems before they become more serious.

• Using mouthwash

Mouthwash can help fight plaque buildup. The antiseptic ingredients help kill bacteria. However, it's important to remember that mouthwash doesn't replace brushing and flossing. Mouthwash should be used in addition to brushing and flossing to have a clean, healthy mouth.

• Reducing your sugar intake

In addition to cutting down on sugar, you should also reduce the number of other carbohydrate-rich foods and drinks in your diet. These carbohydrates are broken down into sugar by bacteria in your mouth, so they do just as much of a job in damaging your teeth.

• Using tobacco cessation products

Tobacco cessation products, such as nicotine gum or lozenges, can help people quit. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for a recommendation.

How does good oral hygiene benefit oral health?

• Prevent tooth decay

Practicing good oral hygiene can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It can also prevent bad breath, plaque buildup, and cavities. Practicing good oral hygiene can help patients maintain white, healthy teeth throughout their lives.

• Prevent periodontal disease

Good oral hygiene habits are important for preventing periodontal disease. This includes daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque. In addition, certain foods contribute to plaque and tartar buildup. You should try to limit your intake of sugary foods, sticky foods, and acidic foods. If you find it difficult to avoid these specific foods, you should brush your teeth immediately after eating them.

• Prevent bad breath

Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors, but one of the most common is periodontal disease. That's because the bacteria that cause gum disease can move into your bloodstream, causing inflammation throughout your entire body. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bone loss, gum recession, and eventually, tooth loss. That's why it's so important that you follow your dentist's recommendations for maintaining good oral health.

• Prevent staining

Good oral hygiene maintains healthy teeth and gums, which can help prevent staining.

To learn more tips for maintaining good oral health, contact University Oaks Dental, 6363 San Felipe St #200b, Houston, TX 77057 at (713) 461-8012 or schedule an appointment with us through our website.