Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the most important prevention method a person can take to reduce the risk of most dental problems. Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing the most common forms of dental problems ranging from tooth decay and gingivitis to bad breath.

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means that:

Your teeth are clean and free of debris Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss Bad breath is not a constant problem

A dentist or hygienist can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is therefore important to your overall well-being.

In order to achieve good oral hygiene it is important to conduct daily preventive care in the form of proper teeth brushing and flossing with dental floss. These two simple techniques will help stop problems before they develop and are much less painful expensive and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.

Visiting a dentist regularly is also an excellent way of acieveing good oral hygiene. A dentist can perform routine teeth cleaning such as scaling and root planning to eliminate plaque and tartar that builds up on the teeth and are the main causes of oral hygiene problems. In between regular visits to the dentist there are simple steps that can be taken to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay gum disease and other dental problems. These include:

Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals Using dental products that contain fluoride including toothpaste Rinsing with a fluoride mouthrinse

Brushing and flossing each day are basic techniques but it is essential that they are done properly to achieve the maximum benefit. Below are how a dentist recommends brushing and flossing.