Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Oral health and hygiene is one of the most essential things to take care of when it comes to our overall health.
A bad breath, decayed and/or yellowing teeth, cavities, etc., are signs of poor oral health and definitely do not make for a good impression.
March 20th marks the World Oral Health Day, a day recognized by dental professionals across the globe to raise awareness about practicing better and improved oral healthcare.
New research suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems.
Therefore, no matter how old you are, you need to take care of your teeth and mouth, because your teeth are meant to last a lifetime.
So today, observing World Oral Halth Day, below we tell you how you can take care of your oral health.
1. Tooth decay:
A hard, outer coating covers our teeth which is known as tooth enamel. When we eat and drink, it causes a thin layer of bacteria build-up. Irregularities in brushing and/or flossing can cause the bacteria to eat up into the enamel and create holes that are known as cavities. Therefore, always ensure regular brushing of teeth, using fluoride toothpaste, if your teeth are prone to decay.
2. Gum disease:
Build up of tartar and plaque along and under the gum line can cause gum disease. This happens when the plaque causes infections that hurt the gum and bone that hold teeth in place. This problem is called Gingivitis and is often curable by regular, daily brushing and flossing. Severe gingivitis, however, will need to be treated by a dentist. You can prevent gum disease by following the below tips!
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day.
- Visit your dentist regularly for a checkup and cleaning.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease.
3. The right way to clean teeth and gums:
Yes, there is a right way to brush your teeth and gums.
- Gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Use small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.
- Take the time to brush carefully and gently along the gum line.
- Lightly brush and scrape your tongue with a tongue-scraper to help keep your mouth clean.
4. Dry mouth:
Lack of saliva and spit can cause dry mouth condition. This is because your mouth needs to be wet and not having enough saliva can make it hard for you to eat, swallow, taste and even speak. Dry mouth can also cause tooth decay and other mouth-related infections. To cure this condition, try sipping water or sugarless drinks. Stay away from drinks with caffeine. Don’t smoke and avoid alcohol. Some people are helped by sucking sugarless hard candy or chewing sugarless gum.
