- Oral health is an important aspect of our life. A well-maintained hygienic mouth leads to clean teeth, a pleasant smell, and a debris-free mouth.
- Tartar, dental plaque, dental caries, and periodontal diseases are a few “culprits” which we fight to protect our mouth against.
- Brushing, flossing, and mouthwash are some important formulas to prolong oral health.
- “It’s not difficult to take care of your oral health, you only need to be more concerned and cautious about your dental hygiene”.
METHODS TO PROTECT GUMS & TEETH :
We all know the significance of a well-nurtured oral cavity. Right from the beginning of the day, till we go to sleep, we come across so many people. The first thing we need to have on our side is a bright smile and a clean oral cavity.
- Maintaining teeth not only means brushing your teeth but also flossing, getting minor cavities fixed, and gargling after having your food.
- Apart from teeth, gums are also very important as it is said “An unhealthy soft tissue can make a big issue”.
- Therefore, maintaining healthy gums should be one’s primary concern.
THE MAIN CULPRITS :
- WHAT IS PLAQUE? : Dental plaque is nothing but the yellowish deposits that we see on the tooth structure. It is made up of bacteria and it appears as a film. It can’t be washed off with just water.
- WHAT IS TARTAR? : In dentistry, calculus or tartar is a type of hardened plaque. It is formed by bacteria and mineral salts. Scaling is advised for this condition.
CULPRITS WHICH LEAD TO DISEASES
1. GINGIVITIS :
- Swelling of gums or soft tissues is gingivitis.
- When symptoms such as swollen gums, bleeding gums, and space between teeth are observed then one should visit a dentist.
- Gingivitis should be treated in its early stage. Delays in treatment can cause serious complications like bone loss.
- Localized: Gingivitis associated with a single tooth.
- Generalized: When the entire mouth is affected by gingivitis.
2. GINGIVAL RECESSION :
- Displacement of gums from their original position exposes the entire teeth structure.
- It leads to severe sensitivity in teeth.
- Vigorous brushing, malalignment of teeth, swollen gum, accumulation of food, and improper flossing can cause gingival recession.
3. PERIODONTITIS :
- A severe gum infection can lead to bone loss causing the loosening of teeth. Here the infection affects both gums and bone-supporting teeth.
- In this condition, bone loss is observed around the tooth resulting in the mobility of the tooth.
- When gingivitis is left untreated it can further cause periodontists.
- LOCALIZED: Associated with a single tooth.
- GENERALIZED: Multiple teeth are involved.
- SYMPTOMS:
– Toothache
– Mobility of teeth
– Bad breath
– Red gums
– Bleeding gums
HABITS THAT WILL PROTECT YOUR TEETH AND GUMS
1. BRUSHING TECHNIQUE :
- A pea size toothpaste is pressed deep into the bristles of the toothbrush.
- The toothbrush is placed at a 45-degree angle so that it covers the overall tooth surface.
- The toothbrush is used in a back-and-forth motion. It is swiped from up to down in the upper teeth and down to up in the lower teeth.
- Teeth are cleaned properly from both outside and inside.
- Use gentle strokes of the brush.
2. FLOSSING TECHNIQUE:
- Use about 18 – 24 inches of dental floss.
- Hold floss with the help of your thumb and index finger.
- Place the floss between two teeth and glide it in an up-and-down direction.
- Avoid deep contact with gums as it may injure them.
- Clean each and every tooth to prevent food lodgement.
3. HOW TO USE MOUTHWASH?
- It is recommended twice a day.
- Mouthwash is essential to maintain oral hygiene.
- It kills bacteria and microorganisms residing in the mouth.
- Mouthwash also helps to fight various problems like plaque, debris, and bad breath.
4. DIET THAT AFFECTS TEETH :
- Diet is a very important fragment of oral health.
- Sugar-rich food like candy and sweets should be avoided along with fast food as they can trigger cavity formation.
- Excess amounts of carbonated beverages such as coke, thumbs up and Pepsi cause teeth to wear off.
- Rinse your mouth after every meal.
Prevention is better than cure
- If there occurs bleeding while performing basic techniques like brushing and flossing, one should consult with his/her dentist.
- Accumulation of debris or the appearance of the yellowish film should be removed via a treatment called scaling.
- Get your cavities filled as early as possible to avoid your teeth undergoing root canal treatment.
- Malalignment has to be corrected in order to avoid the accumulation of food and debris which accelerates the process of cavity formation and problems related to gums.
- A lost tooth has to be replaced with an artificial one.
DO’S AND DONT’S FOR ORAL HEALTH
Do’s :
- Brushing teeth twice a day to avoid dental caries.
- Flossing of teeth to avoid food lodgement.
- Gargling after every meal cleans the mouth properly.
- Scrapping the tongue stops bad breath and a condition called as halitosis.
- A dental checkup has to be done after every six months.
- The proper time to change the toothbrush is 3 months.
Dont’s :
- Food containing carbohydrates and sticky food are both avoided.
- Consumption of carbonated beverages has to stop.
- Vigorous strokes of the brush, excess amount of toothpaste, and overuse of a toothbrush should be avoided.
- Stains can be avoided by restricting the consumption of coffee and tobacco.
- The use of certain drugs like tetracycline in children below 8 years of age causes yellow stains.
- Less amount of fluoride in water can lead to brown staining of teeth.
Any queries related to oral health?
Your doctor is one call away.
If you have any problem related to gums or teeth, please visit Pathak dental clinic
Name – Dr. Manish Pathak
Contact – 9762126132
“That smile looks good on you”
Find the clinic here: Get direction
Address: 11/11 Akurdi Chikhli Road, Near Dwarka Collection, Kasturi market, Sambhaji Nagar, Thermax Chowk, Below Nutan Jewellers, Chinchwad, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra 411019
