Therefore, oral hygiene is something of a major significance when it comes to attaining an attractive personality and a happier life. [break]
Dr. Sadichha Gurung of Kantipur Dental College insists that simple daily regimes can be very helpful to oral and dental hygiene if followed religiously. She says that there’s no alternative to brushing.
However, she advises older people, small children and those with weak teeth to opt for toothbrushes with soft bristles. Adults and those with healthy teeth can use those with medium bristles. Toothpastes, she says, should contain fluoride. She also advises that at least a biannual visit to the dentist is a must for every individual.
There are several ways in which one can achieve pearly white teeth, strong gums and fresh breath. We’ve been hearing about most of these ever since we learnt how to chew and swallow. However, lack of heed and continuity of these little things due to busy schedules or plain old laziness can sometimes cost a lot. Let’s have a look at some of them:
Brushing
It’s simple and straight when it comes to acquiring healthy teeth and gums. We should brush twice daily, once after breakfast and again before going to bed at night. Brushing should be carried out in downward strokes for the upper teeth and upward strokes for the lower ones. Take your time and brush your teeth for at least two minutes on all sides.
Flossing
There are some tight spaces between the teeth that can’t be reached with a toothbrush alone. These nooks and crannies have to be cleaned thoroughly because these are the places where food particles get stuck. It’s better to floss before you brush because that’ll help the toothpaste fluoride to get between the teeth. One has to be gentle and patient while flossing to avoid injury and bleeding.
REDDIT.COM
Rinsing
Rinsing the mouth after every meal is a basic step to oral hygiene. It’s simple yet easily ignored at times. Plain water works but it’s advisable to use salt water as far as possible. Lukewarm water creates a nice and soothing sensation. Saline water causes zero side effects and are often preferred for regular use unless there are some specific infections or oral problems to be treated.
Tongue scraping
Neglecting one’s tongue makes it a site for the genesis of bacteria which in the long run causes bad breath and mouth infections and ulcers. In order to prevent that, one needs to scrape the tongue at regular intervals, preferably while brushing one’s teeth. Scraping should be carried out in the mornings either with a separate tongue scraper or with the back of one’s toothbrush while brushing.
Visiting the dentist
This must have been our worst nightmare since early childhood. It’s no fun to lie down while someone probes into your mouth. However, it’s a dentist’s job to decide whether you need a filling, cleaning, scaling or a tooth pulled out of its roots. Regular visits to a dentist, as unpleasant as they may sound, reduce the chances of bad news regarding your mouth and all that it entails.
What NOT to do?
We have always been told that chocolates are bad for teeth. Indeed, having a sweet tooth can eventually cost you the tooth itself. Other than that, smoking and consumption of too much alcohol, tobacco and betel are also hazardous to teeth and gums. Aerated drinks are not advisable, either. Don’t keep brushing your teeth several times a day since it causes the enamel of the teeth to thin out and causes tooth erosion. Sugar-free substitutes like sorbitol chewing gums can be used at times that produce more saliva and cleanse the teeth.
Your mouth is the gateway for those things that go to your stomach and eventually become a part of the body metabolism. Therefore, it’s always necessary to be accountable and alert regarding the things that you eat and drink. Also, it’s mandatory to pay attention to one’s oral hygiene since it determines the fitness and hygiene of the entire body.
Related story
How long should you brush your teeth every day?
