Do’s and Don’ts of Oral Hygiene

June 29th, 2010

It is important to have a good oral hygiene. A build-up of plaque can combine with foods not brushed away to form harmful acids that can lead to tooth loss and even gum disease. Listed below are some does and don’ts tips to spare you from cavities and dental implants.

Don’t head to bed without brushing your teeth.

By day’s end, you’re exhausted. Simply by not brushing at night, you risk affecting other areas of your health. Plaque builds up whenever you go to sleep without cleaning your teeth. This causes gum disease, teeth discoloration, and other developing serious conditions, such as heart diseases and diabetes.

Don’t do nail-bite.

Many people often do repeated nail-biting as a subconscious response to stress. It is a way of diverting brain’s attention to avoid any taxing emotion. However, this habit allows germ transfer from your nails directly to your mouth, causing risk of inflammation and infection. Nail-biting can also cause trouble for your teeth as well. Scientific studies found out that nail-biters are at higher risk for bruxism, an episode of clenching of the jaw that can cause facial pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, recessed gums and tooth loss.

Don’t smoke.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of bad breath. When you smoke the chemicals in the smoke create a lining on the tongue which causes a lingering smell of stale tobacco. Moreover, tobacco smoking contributes a lot in ca

using discoloration of teeth. Quitting such vice may save you from expensive cosmetic dentistry price.

Do choose your food.

Yogurt contains yeast that eats up present bacteria’s in the mouth. Any apples or other rough skinned fruits or vegetables will help eliminate food particles trapped in your teeth causing plague build up. Parsley, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, cardamom seeds, cinnamon bark, clove, fennel or anise seeds are also great breath fresheners. Hence, according to Richard H. Pria DMD of the American Dental Association, foods like coffee, protein, onions, garlic, and other spices must be avoided as they help increase chances of having bad breath.

Do tooth brushing and flossing.

Flossing plays a significant role in keeping bad breath down. In addition, according to the National Dental Association, brushing your teeth regularly after each meal and/or three times a day can keep plague at a minimum which causes bad breath.

Do visit your dentist.

Visit your dentist at least every six months for cleanings and checkups to keep your mouth free of plaque buildup and other problems that may lead to bad breath. If you have tried all the suggested ways yet you still have problems with bad breath, you may be suffering from a more complex medical condition such as acid reflux or problems with your tonsils.

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