Did you know? Around 6 billion bacteria live inside our mouths. These living organisms play a vital role in keeping our mouth healthy, functioning, and brightened smile. The bacteria are born, work together, feed, mate, and die eventually inside your mouth. However, the harmful bacteria are the ones you need to prevent from accumulating inside your mouth. Medically termed as streptococcus mutans, the bad bacteria weaken the gums and muscles, resulting in tooth decay and tooth loss.
All you need to do is brush your twice daily, floss regularly, and visit your dentist twice a year for regular dental check-ups. Ignorance to which you may develop gum disease results in other severe health conditions such as heart attack and stroke. In this blog, you will find out all the ways and rules to maintain a brightened, healthy, and long-lasting smile.
How to keep my teeth healthy?
It is your duty and responsibility to brush your teeth early morning and before going to bed. Toothpaste and a brush will help you in cleaning the teeth. But in many cases, people need assistance more than a simple toothbrush routine. Either they are brushing incorrectly or suffering from some underlying health condition (such as diabetes, pregnancy, or gum disease). So, here are a few ways you can keep your teeth healthy and stain-free:
Avoid eating sugary items
Chocolates, candies, snacking sweets, and carbohydrate enriched food products are tempting to your mouth. But, it increases the bacteria build up inside your mouth. The bacteria cling on to one another and result in the formation of plaque. Sugary soft drinks, citrus food, caffeine, wine, and soda drinks should be avoided.
Plaque triggers 90% of dental problems, including tooth decay and tooth loss. Therefore, choose wisely what you eat and drink.
Avoid Over-Brushing
Many patients arrive at our clinic with scrapped enamel as a result of over brushing. The food residue left on your tooth surface softens the enamel overnight. The next morning when you brush your teeth, the enamels wear off while brushing too fast. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to go easy on your teeth, gums, and enamel.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a vital substance that strengthens the enamel and helps to remove tooth decay up to some extent. It also covers your teeth from any acid and bacterial attack that occurs due to food particles and sugary drinks.
Remain cautious at Swimming Pool
If you swim in a clubhouse or resort, ask the management how much chlorine they use inside their pool. Chlorine adds up to the acid present in our mouth, and very quickly, it can develop in tooth decay. Also, avoid drinking any citrus fruit, soda, and carbonated sugary drinks, as they increase the amount of chlorine inside your mouth.
Do not skip your dental appointments.
We often blame our hectic schedule for not visiting our dentists regularly. Dental experts recommend people to at least visit their trusted dentist twice a year for teeth cleaning and monitoring any dental issues. Your dentist shall also help you choose the best-suited toothpaste, mouthwash, and Fluoride supplements to protect your mouth from the bad bacteria.
Keep rinsing your mouth.
After you eat or drink anything acidic, make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly to eliminate any food leftovers stuck in the gums and gaps. Food or drinks that contain food colour added to it can stain the tooth surface, which you may find it hard to remove and can become an embarrassment when in public.
6 rules to remember for healthy gums
Rule 1: Regularly floss your teeth to clean up the food residue, dirt, and plaque.
Rule 2: Quit smoking. It weakens your immune system and slows down the fight between good bacteria and bad bacteria in your mouth.
Rule 3: Every 6 months, visit your trusted dental clinic to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Rule 4: While brushing your teeth, never forget to clean your tongue. Gently brush it or rinse using warm water to remove small bumps on the tongue that cause bad breath.
Rule 5: Use toothpaste that contains Fluoride and has medicinal properties.
Rule 6: Strictly follow all the rules mentioned above!
Frequently “Not” Asked Questions
Does plaque result in health diseases?
Yes. Plaque, if left untreated, can transform into tartar, affecting the nervous system, immune system, and respiratory organs. A severe build-up of plaque can also result in heart disease and dementia.
What if I don’t brush twice daily?
If you skip brushing your teeth daily, the harmful bacteria will reside on the tooth surface and form a sticky layer on the teeth called plaque. Regularly brushing and cleaning your teeth will eliminate your chances of suffering from tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.
Can harmful bacteria present in my mouth enter my bloodstream?
If you have a strong immune system, you don’t need to worry about harmful bacteria entering your bloodstream. Patients with a weak immune system are at higher risk of affecting their overall health due to poor oral hygiene.
What are the diseases I can get affected due to poor oral hygiene?
Poor oral hygiene results in gum disease. Different types of gum disease affect our health in different forms, such as:
- Gingivitis: It damages the gum tissues and causes tooth loss
- Periodontitis: It causes bad breath and results in pus formation and swollen gums.
- Aggressive Periodontitis: It results in faster tooth loss and can affect your coming generations too.
- Chronic Periodontitis: It affects the gum tissue and can occur in many generations to come. Patients dealing with diabetes and cancer are at higher risk of developing this disease.
- Systemic Periodontitis: It causes gum bleeding and severe pain to the patient. Also, it is mostly present in patients suffering from respiratory disease, heart disease, and diabetes.
When should I visit a doctor?
Professionally, we recommend patients to at least visit twice a year for a regular dental check-up. You must make an immediate visit to your trusted Dental clinic in Camp Pune if you find the following symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Loss of permanent tooth
- Swollen, red, and tender gums
If you are suffering from any oral health issues, or want professional advice on maintaining good oral hygiene, get in touch with us today. At Dev’s Oral Care, we ensure our patients and their family receive quality treatment and leave no stone unturned to restore their healthy, brightened, and confident smiles. For more details, visit our website. ,