Importance of dental hygiene for oral healthTeeth are made of highly resilient minerals and tissues. Tooth enamel, in particular, is considered the hardest part of the human body. However, this does not mean that a tooth is indestructible. In fact, tooth enamel is easy to break and decompose, especially if the patient is at high risk.
In order to reduce the risk of tooth decay, one needs to employ proper dental hygiene techniques. But how exactly is this done and why is it important?
The primary function of teeth is to help the body acquire necessary nutrients found in food. The teeth are used to bite and chew food until an acceptable food bolus is created. A food bolus is a round piece of thoroughly chewed food that is ready to swallow and easily digestible by the stomach.
Good dental hygiene is the key to maintaining the strength and overall health of the teeth and gums. If an individual has poor daily oral care habits, he or she will likely experience oral problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. These can cause the destruction of teeth and degeneration of oral health.
In the long run, poor oral health can lead to other medical problems which can affect an individual’s holistic health. Gum disease is linked to various health problems such as diabetes and stroke. Tooth loss can affect speech and nutrition, as well as self-confidence and well-being.
Practicing good dental hygiene minimizes your risk of getting these oral problems and maintains the health of your entire oral cavity. Not only will you have a beautiful and healthy smile, but you will also save thousands of dollars in dental treatment costs.
If you want someone to teach you and your children how to properly brush, floss, and take care of your teeth, you should only consult a dental professional. Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants are all knowledgeable in this area.
Here at Ace Dental in Roseville, we love giving advice to our patients, especially young kids who are eager to learn and always curious about new things. You can ask us about anything related to oral health and dental hygiene. Our head dentist, Dr. Karanvir Sibia, DDS, and his entire team of dental professionals will be happy to answer all of your questions.
Dr. Sibia recommends the following dental hygiene practices for the best quality of dental health at home.
Many people may be unaware that they are brushing incorrectly. You must spend a few seconds removing the plaque and food debris on each tooth, taking a total of 2 minutes or more for the entire brushing period. You should also use a variety of strokes to ensure that all areas are covered. Brush in circles to gently loosen plaque and food particles from the gumline, then pull up in the lower jaw and down in the upper jaw to remove the loosened particles from the tooth. Brush back and forth on top of molars to clean the biting surface of the crowns. Don’t forget to brush the backs of your teeth (tongue side and palatal side) and your tongue!
Even if you do brush properly, if you only brush once a day or even miss an entire day of brushing, you won’t be able to protect your teeth. Plaque builds up continuously throughout the day, often within 30 minutes of brushing.
You need to remove plaque within 12 hours, or else it will harden into tartar (calculus), which cannot be brushed off. Plaque that has accumulated and hardened into tartar is the main culprit of gum disease and tooth decay.
It is recommended to brush at least twice a day, at the very least in the morning and before you go to bed, though three times is ideal. If you eat something sweet or sticky in the middle of the day, it’s best to brush right after. If you can’t brush, then drink some water or chew a sugarless gum to increase saliva production and help keep bacteria away from your teeth until you can brush.
When people are asked how often they floss, they usually answer “not every day” or “a few times a week”. Daily flossing is an important part of oral care because floss can get into the tight spaces which a toothbrush is unable to reach. Flossing removes any plaque and food debris which have been left behind by brushing.
Some say it’s better to floss before brushing to loosen plaque and food particles to make brushing more effective. It’s not clear whether flossing before brushing is better than brushing before flossing or vice versa. But the important thing is that you floss your teeth every single day so that the plaque on your teeth will not harden.
Acidity can erode the tooth enamel, a process called demineralization. Many kinds of foods can be considered acidic such as caffeinated products, citrus fruits, and alcoholic beverages. However, sometimes, you may not know that the food you’re eating is acidic.
Brushing your teeth while the enamel is still demineralized can increase the chances of tooth decay. To keep your teeth safe, always brush your teeth at least half an hour after eating and make sure you drink plenty of water before brushing. Water neutralizes the acidity, while the time allowance gives your teeth the chance to remineralize before you brush.
The best quality of oral health can only be achieved when patients and dentists work together. While you do your oral hygiene practices at home, we at Ace Dental in Roseville will keep your oral health in check every six months.
We will closely examine your teeth and gums every time you visit. This enables us to detect any early signs of oral problems and treat them before they can cause significant damage to your oral health.
We at Ace Dental want all of our patients to achieve the highest quality of oral health. That is why we welcome new patients and strongly encourage current patients to visit us again six months after their last visit.
If you would like to get a dental check-up by Dr. Sibia at Ace Dental, we invite you to stop by our dental office at 1070 Pleasant Grove Suite 110 Roseville, CA 95678 We are open on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm. We also accept appointments on Saturdays.
You can book an appointment using our online form or by calling us at (916) 772-0111. Our head dentist, Dr. Karanvir Sibia, DDS, will teach you the best dental hygiene practices and ensure that your oral health is the best it can be.
Let us help you improve your dental hygiene today!
