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Good oral hygiene must be followed in order to have healthy teeth and gums. When you help your teeth to stay healthy, you are preventing yourself from diseases that affect the other parts of your body. When you fail to maintain good oral health, you may suffer from any of the dental complications and gum diseases.
Tooth decay
A thin layer of bacteria gets formed every day over your enamel. This can be removed by brushing your teeth properly twice a day or after every meal. But if it is not done properly, then the bacteria in the plaque produce acids that may harm your teeth and leads to teeth decay. Teeth decay can be cleared off when brushing and flossing is done regularly. But if you didn’t care about your decay it may form cavities in your teeth which can be treated only by the dentist.
Gum Conditions
Gum problems begin when the plaque formed is filled around the gum line. The plaque present over the gums infects the surrounding area and the bone making it weak. When this continues, your gum starts to bleed. The initial stage of gum disease is called gingivitis which is often fixed by brushing and flossing properly for twice a day. Severe gum disease is called Periodontitis which can be treated by the dentist. If it is left untreated, then it may lead to affect your gums, bones and the area surrounding the teeth that may also result in the removal of the infected teeth.
There are also other conditions that can be formed if you didn’t take good care of your teeth and your gums. Now, let’s look deep on how to take care of your teeth and your gums.
1. Brush Twice a day
It is advised to brush at least twice a day but it is always well and good if you brush your teeth after your every meal. This removes the plaque that is present in your teeth and the gums. It is also important to choose the perfect toothbrush. It must have soft bristles and ensure that you don’t harm yourself by brushing your teeth and gums forcefully. Change your toothbrush every three to four months or when you found your bristles went away. You can also use an electric toothbrush which cleans your teeth and gums more than the ordinary toothbrushes.
2. Flossing
Flossing, an important part of oral care, is often avoided by everyone. Like brushing, flossing must also need to be done daily to prevent yourself from gum diseases. Flossing daily will help you to remove the plaque that is formed daily over your teeth. By flossing you can also reach the inner areas of your teeth which cannot be reached even by your toothbrush. If the plaque in between your teeth is not removed it may form hard yellow deposits called tartar which further leads to critical gum disease which can be treated only by the dentists.
3. Use a mouthwash
There are two types of mouthwashes – therapeutic mouthwash and cosmetic mouthwash. Therapeutic mouthwashes are the highly recommended ones by the dentists as they help to remove away all the plaque and the bacteria substance that is formed on your teeth or gums.
But, one should always remember that mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing or flossing. Mouth wash is just an extra ingredient in your daily oral care. Rinsing with the mouthwash helps to wash away all the food particles that are left away when you brush and floss.
4. Quit Smoking
A person who smokes frequently in a day can never escape from the dental problems. It is already clear that smoking leads to several health problems that include dental complications too. A chain smoker will definitely have some kind of gum disease when it is not taken into account it may affect your other parts of the body too.
Smoking generally weakens your immune system hence it will be difficult for it to fight against your gum disease. Smoking damages your gum changes the color of your teeth, tongue and also it affects your lungs. It is highly advisable to quit smoking when you encounter any dental complications.
5. Visit your dentist regularly
Yes, people are afraid of the dental chair, the needles and the other dental equipment. But it will put you in danger when you ignore your dentists. It is highly advised to make a practice of having a regular dental checkup with your dentist nearby for every six months. Your dentist will identify the early signs of gum disease when you visit him on a regular basis.
Gum diseases when identified at the early stage can be cured very easily with small treatments and at low cost. But if it is not done, then you have to end up spending a lot of money on surgery and treatments. So meet your dentist regularly for a dental checkup and also have some professional dental cleaning periodically.
Practicing good oral care right from childhood to adulthood will keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. Healthy teeth always have a healthy smile and self-confidence. Save your smile for your entire life, as it is associated with your overall health too.
