Our mouths are a powerful part of our bodies as they serve as an entry into the body, thus we should protect the mouth at all costs. Maintaining good oral hygiene is one way to do that. By definition, oral hygiene is partaking in various tasks to keep the mouth clean and disease-free. Like other parts of our body, the mouth harbors beneficial and detrimental bacteria, so it’s essential to keep our mouths clean to prevent the onset of gum disease, cavities, and oral infections.
Develop a Routine
Step one involves using traditional dental floss in a “c-shape” motion, ensuring both sides are clean rather than only moving up and down between teeth. This helps loosen bacteria between your teeth. Step two is brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, thoroughly getting the front and back sides of your teeth. Step three focuses on cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper or brush. The last step is using mouthwash to remove any remaining bacteria. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily is recommended because removing food and bacteria buildup decreases the chance of significant plaque buildup.
Creating a routine is vital for health, including oral hygiene.
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Get Regular Dental Checkups
Setting up appointments with your dentist at least once a year for dental cleanings and examinations is essential. Dental checkups allow dentists to view your mouth in its entirety, as it’s very likely that you may have neglected hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. Dentists check for gum disease and infections while providing personalized tips for you.
The Trendy Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient method involving using a teaspoonful of oil (most commonly coconut oil) and swishing it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes, spitting it into the trash, then rinsing your mouth with water to remove plaque and reduce oral inflammation. It’s important to know that oil-pulling is a supplement to maintaining oral health, not a replacement for a standard dental routine.
Negative Effects of Poor Oral Hygiene on the Body
The mouth serves as a gateway – literally and figuratively – to the rest of the body. It is the entry point into the body and is involved in the digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. Not practicing good oral health can lead to severe gum disease, which has been linked to and from heart disease, diabetes, bone density loss, lung diseases, and HIV/AIDS. What if you still practice good oral hygiene but continue to have bad breath? Gut issues and increased oral bacteria could be the source, both of which manifest with direct and indirect signs. For example, in the case of heartburn, after eating certain foods, people can experience bad breath from stomach acid and bile rising from the digestive system into the esophagus and mouth. Therefore, you should focus on healthy food and fluid intake and avoid activities such as illicit drug use, drinking alcohol, or smoking cigarettes, as they can cause tooth decay, gum disease, cancer, and pain.
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