When you maintain good oral health, it can help you maintain good overall physical health as well. Preventing the build-up of plaque and tartar can significantly enhance your overall health. Good oral hygiene and regular dental consultations help remove the build-up of tartar on the teeth and to prevent its formation, to prevent gum diseases and cavities, and also to decrease the chances of bad breath.
That have been many patient surveys conducted on the importance of practicing good oral hygiene habits and all the surveys reveal a very clear link between oral hygiene and physical health. Many people do not have a clear idea of what good oral hygiene practices involve. For example, people are generally not very clear about when to replace their toothbrushes, why cavities are caused, or even how to properly brush and floss. A significant percentage of people about the age of 30 years have some degree of gum disease, but they are not aware of it. While regular oral care is important only a small number of people obtain professional dental services regularly.
There are many studies that have shown that people with poor oral hygiene have a high risk of developing many dental health issues. Poor oral hygiene can directly contribute to dental cavities, bad breath, gum diseases, tooth pain and discomfort even in people who wear dentures. Some clinical studies also show a clear link between some types of oral cancer and poor oral hygiene. The inflammation of gums caused by gum disease is also said to be related to higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke etc.
It is important to fight gum diseases and prevent them from occurring it is easy to maintain a healthy set of teeth by following regular oral hygiene and by going in for a consultation with your dentist at least once in every 6 months.
Benefits of good oral hygiene
The following are some of the benefits you will find when you start practicing good oral hygiene habits on a regular basis.
- Reduction in tooth sensitivity
- Reduction in cavities and tooth decay
- Preventing loss of teeth
- Fresher breath and improved self confidence
- Better gum health and no bleeding gums
- Reduction in the chance of needing oral surgery or root canal
- Reduce the risk of cancer
- Reduced to risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart attack
- Reduced risk of stroke
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Higher levels of fertility and healthy pregnancy
- Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Overall, you can clearly see that good oral hygiene habits can result in a much healthier set of teeth and mouth as well as a healthy body.
What are some recommendations for good oral hygiene practices?
You can keep your teeth clean and free of cavities if you follow a regular oral care routine of simply brushing twice a day and flossing once. Make sure that you visit your dental clinic twice a year, or at least once, in order to do a thorough cleaning and to have an examination on whether there are any dental problems that need to be taken care of. The dental hygienist may also recommend the toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, or oral rinse to use in order to make the most of your daily oral care routine.
You can follow a proper and healthy diet that will keep your body and mouth healthy. A nutritious diet plays a very important role in maintaining the health as well as cleanliness of your gums, teeth, and mouth.
It is recommended that you limit beverages such as coffee, soda, and alcohol. These beverages contain a very high level of phosphorus which may lead to the depletion of calcium in the body. When the calcium levels are low, it may lead to oral problems such as cavities and gum diseases. Sweet beverages containing additives like food dye and corn syrup can make the teeth look dull and lacklustre. Try and avoid strongly coloured and sugary drinks as much as possible in order to maintain the strength and appearance of your enamel.
Low carb diets are very popular these days. While they may be good for your health and to lose weight remember that low carb diet can cause bad breath. Make sure that you consume a well-balanced and teeth healthy diet in order to reduce the incidence of tooth decay and gum diseases.
You can increase your calcium intake by consuming a daily supplement or by eating fruits and vegetables that are high in calcium. Try and eat a lot of leafy greens which will help improve the calcium levels in the body and also help reduce the acid build-up in the saliva which can breakdown the enamel.
Along with calcium, you can also take a daily dose of vitamin c and d which support the absorption of minerals that keep the bones and gum tissues healthy. Supplementation of the right vitamins and minerals can help maintain excellent oral hygiene.
In order to maintain a healthy set of teeth, one of the most important things that you need to do is to quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes is one of the biggest reasons why people develop dental diseases. Smoking leads to stained teeth, prevents proper absorption of calcium, causes gum diseases, and can even lead to life threatening conditions such as cancer. To enjoy a healthy set of teeth and physical health, quit smoking.