The benefits of good dental hygiene go a long way – they decrease the risk of disease, enhances one’s appearance, and has even been proven to boost self-confidence! Ever heard that smiling is healthy? Well, it’s true! Each smile that we give someone improves our health and appearance – that is, if we have a healthy oral hygiene regime in place.
What is Oral Hygiene (Definition)?
Oral hygiene is the practice of having a mouth free of disease, bad breath, and other dental problems.
Practicing proper oral hygiene is necessary to live an overall healthy lifestyle. Neglecting your dental hygiene health can result in any of the following conditions:
- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
- Periodontal Diseases
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Dental Cavities
Why Is Oral Hygiene Important?
The mouth is one of the dirtiest areas of the body and it does not take long to visibly notice when one’s mouth lacks attention.
An accumulation of plaque or tartar buildup leads to mouth complications.
This lack of care causes poor oral hygiene and can lead to several health complications.
Additionally, caring for your teeth means you’re reducing your risk of tooth loss, bad breath, and serious dental problems.
It also reduces your risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, lung infections, Alzheimer’s, among many other health complications.
Oral hygiene is so important because it impacts our overall health – which we’ll touch on a little later.
The Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene
In order to have a whiter looking smile and fresh breath, you want to be sure you’re brushing and flossing your teeth daily (at least twice a day).
Along with this, getting regular dental checkups is a must!
Dentists can provide professional cleanings to remove plaque, tartar buildup and stains from your teeth.
Here are some additional ways that a healthy smile is beneficial:
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Saves Money
It is less expensive to maintain good dental health than it is to cure it!
Caring for your teeth and gums on a regular basis will prevent future problems such as needing oral surgery, which helps to lower your dental bills over the course of your life.
Unfortunately, neglecting your teeth can bring expensive results which is why at Dental Smiles Unlimited, we provide affordable services to get you back on track!
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Fresher Breath
Having fresh breath is a result of good oral hygiene.
Neglecting your teeth will cause your mouth to stink and while you may not notice it right away, those you speak to most likely will.
Cleaning your mouth regularly – at least twice a day – is the perfect way to freshen up.
If you have a good dental health regime in place, but continue to experience bad breath issues, reach out to us so that we can help.
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Prevent Gum Disease
The inflammation of the gums is known as Gingivitis. This is the initial stage of gum disease and is caused by plaque build-up around your teeth.
Brushing and flossing teeth daily prevents the accumulation of food and bacteria that causes plaque.
Gum disease is the result of not doing so and it leads to undesirable effects like swollen gums and teeth that bleed.
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Whiter Teeth
The process of brushing and flossing your teeth doesn’t take more than 3 minutes. This short amount of time is extremely necessary to have good dental health.
Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that remove debris and stains from teeth. Brushing every day will keep your smile looking fresh, healthy, and white!
Alternatively, you can always set up an appointment with your dentist for professional teeth whitening.
When Should Oral Hygiene Begin
You may be asking yourself, “When should one start practicing good oral hygiene?”
The answer is, now!
You may not know this, but baby teeth begin to form before birth meaning that as a mother, you should be eating a nutritious, balanced diet.
Pregnant women should also have a complete dental exam performed to check and treat any cavities or gum disease.
Of course, as your child grows you want them to understand the importance of good oral hygiene.
They can learn this by implementing a proper routine early in life to ensure the development of healthy teeth.
Having regular dental check-ups will also ensure they are on the right track to developing strong permanent teeth.
Oral hygiene is an everyday process that you should participate in for the remainder of your life.
Consistency is key when it comes down to your pearly whites; creating healthy habits helps maintain good oral hygiene.
When to Start Oral Hygiene for Your Baby
Once a child is born, it is recommended to schedule a visit to the dentist 6 months after their first primary tooth appears or by their first birthday – whichever comes first.
The dentist will then be able to assess their teeth to make sure everything is looking good and take further action if needed.
Instructions and Guidelines for Oral Hygiene
Brushing, flossing, and attending your dental appointments are an important part to avoiding the problems bad dental hygiene brings.
Along with this, finding a quality dental provider is essential to the health of your mouth.
There are a few guidelines you should follow when narrowing down your decision for a dental provider.
As experts in this field, we want to give you some tips when choosing a dentist provider.
There are some elements that consumers overlook that play a big role in the health of your teeth.
We keep these concerns in mind every day when working on our patients and so should you!
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Technology
The first element that you’ll want to consider is whether the technology a dentist office uses is up to date.
There has been a huge advancement in digital technologies that improve the quality of dental care and dentistry’s need to stay up to date with these improvements.
Dental x-rays for example, are composed of the latest technology to detect all major and minor oral health issues.
A provider who is consistently looking for ways to offer more efficient solutions for our patients is the one you should decide on.
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Education and Training
Dentists need to continue to educate themselves despite their years of previous education.
Because advances in clinical technology continue to be made, dentists and their staff need to regularly update their skills to provide superior care to their patients.
This is done by attending training and with ongoing education programs.
We encourage you to look for a provider who is continuously learning, adapting, and updating their skills to meet the dental needs of those who walk through our doors.
Understanding the importance of staying up to date with advancements is the first step, consequently, implementing ongoing education and training is the next.
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Friendly Staff
It’s no surprise that a visit to the dentist’s office isn’t an ideal trip for both adults and children.
A welcoming and responsive staff makes this a more enjoyable process, especially for little ones!
Look for a dentist office where it’s evident that the entire staff is experienced and offers a streamlined process from beginning to end.
Good Habits That Maintain Oral Hygiene
Bad oral hygiene is linked to several health problems, but many times laziness is the culprit of this issue.
Perhaps you’ve had a long day or are too tired to brush your teeth before bed. This may not seem harmful to your dental health, but it is!
For this reason, you want to make it a habit to take care of your teeth no matter the circumstances.
Brushing your teeth in the mornings with your children before work or school is a great way to get them in the routine of doing so.
A few habits you should form to maintain oral hygiene is being consistent in brushing your teeth every morning and night.
In addition, make sure you floss and use mouthwash to have a fresh smile.
These are great hygiene products that go a long way.
While not properly caring for your teeth causes poor oral hygiene, an unhealthy diet can too!
This is yet another reason to eat healthy and feed your body a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
Remember, that too many sugars and candy can lead to dental problems, especially in children!
How Oral Hygiene Is Linked to Health
Your oral health is much more important than you might realize.
It is linked to health in a variety of ways. In fact, having dental problems can affect the rest of your body.
Because your mouth is prone to bacteria, keeping bacteria under control is a result of practicing proper dental hygiene.
When bacteria are not controlled (poor oral hygiene) this leads to diseases including periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease.
Oral health consequently has scientifically been linked to other diseases and conditions such as endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, or Alzheimer’s disease.
How Oral Hygiene Affects Overall Health
Consequently, there is a strong link between dental hygiene and overall general health.
A few medical conditions linked to bad oral health include heart disease, stroke, lung conditions, or inflammation.
You can prevent this by brushing and flossing daily (at least twice a day) and scheduling routine visits to the dentist.
Research has also shown that poor dental care is sometimes a result in other conditions including immune system disorders, fragile bones, or problems with pregnancy.
If you notice any irregular oral health symptoms or problems, contact your dentist immediately. Remember that your oral health affects your overall health and should be taken seriously.
What Causes Poor Oral Hygiene
Many times, we struggle with maintaining good dental hygiene not because we don’t understand the importance of it, but because we are unaware of what causes it.
There are a few reasons a person suffers from poor oral hygiene which include a lack of good habits, eating the wrong foods and smoking.
All these factors contribute to poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, there are simple solutions for all three of them.
How to Improve Oral Hygiene
Having a healthier, more beautiful smile starts with learning about what causes poor oral hygiene and ways to improve it.
Doing so will not only protect your teeth, but it can save your life! Here are three ways you can better your dental health:
Brush Regularly
- Improving your oral hygiene is as simple as developing good oral hygiene habits. This includes regular brushing at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth every morning and every night removes the plaque and tartar for the teeth.
Watch the Foods You Eat
- There are certain foods you can limit or eliminate completely to improve your dental health. You’ll notice a big improvement in your oral health if you eliminate sugary or acidic foods – plus, it will be great for your overall health!
Stop Smoking
- Smoking is also a common cause of poor oral hygiene. It can lead to dental problems such as tooth discoloration, bad breath, inflammation, or increase of plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Oral Hygiene Products
We’ve already covered how to treat poor oral hygiene. Basically, you want to brush, floss, and schedule routine visits to the dentist’s office.
We cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of your teeth at home.
For great oral health you need to have the following hygiene products handy in your bathroom:
- Toothbrush (with cover)
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
In addition to having them readily available, you want to teach your children how to properly use each item and how often to use them.
Encourage your family to practice good oral hygiene.
Verdict
Oral health affects every aspect of our lives but is often taken for granted. No matter your age or stage in life, your dental health is important.
If you are experienced dental pain or have not been to a dentistry in a while, don’t put this off any longer. Taking immediate action today can help prevent dental disease and further complications.
Consequently, you can practice good oral hygiene from your home.
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day and don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Other ways you can improve your dental health is by eating a balanced diet. Schedule a dental checkup today to keep your smile – and yourself – healthy.
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