Brushing and Flossing Basics: A Guide to Optimal Oral Hygiene

Are you brushing twice a day and flossing regularly?

That is most likely the first question your dentist may ask you on every visit, especially if a dental issue comes up. These 2 simple steps, when added to your daily routine, can protect your teeth, gums and even your heart health and other health issues in the long run.

Surprised? Most people would be.

Oral hygiene is the key to a healthy smile and your overall well-being as well. By keeping the mouth clean and free from germs, bacteria, plaque or tartar, you can keep several dental issues like cavities, decay, bad breath or gum infections at bay.

When the oral hygiene routine is consistent, bacteria from

the mouth cannot travel to other organs in the body via the bloodstream. This protects your heart from heart disease or stroke. People with high sugar levels are also prone to bad breath or gum infections, which can be prevented through simple steps in your daily routine - Brushing, flossing and tongue scraping.

Indicators of poor oral hygiene:

- Cavities

- Tooth decay

- Gum infection

- Ulcers

- Loosening of tooth / teeth without specific reason

- Constant bad breath

- Swelling in gums or jaw

- Toothache

- Sensitive teeth while having extremely hot or cold food

Brushing twice a day:

This is a routine that should be automatic - first thing when you wake up, and last thing before you head to sleep. Use any dentist recommended toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush, because hard brushes can scratch the enamel of the teeth and cause damage to the gums as well. Brush thoroughly across all teeth, for at least a minute or so.

After brushing teeth, rinse well to ensure that any food particles have been removed from the mouth.

Tongue Scraping:

Either with a toothbrush or a tongue cleaner, lightly scrape the surface of the tongue to clean out any bacterial formation.

This prevents bacterial buildup in the mouth, and avoids it from spreading while swallowing along with mouth saliva

Flossing:

Flossing is a way to clean the spaces between your teeth, to remove any stuck particles, using a specially available synthetic thread.

By winding some part of the flossing string around the middle finger of each hand, you can start by putting the thread on either side of a tooth, and pull sideways gently. This will dislodge any stuck particles, which should be rinsed off properly afterwards.

Floss one tooth at a time, and make sure that you push and pull the string at least 6 to 7 times around each tooth.

If you are not too sure, your dentist will guide you the first time on how to floss your teeth correctly.

Use a good mouthwash:

Depending on what the dentist has recommended, use a good mouthwash for rinsing your mouth daily, to keep bacteria, germs and plaque away.

Aside from these basic steps, visit your dentist once in 3 to 4 months, to detect any issues or treat anything that shows up before it gets complicated.

Quitting smoking and tobacco-based products is crucial for your oral health as well as your overall wellness, so go off these immediately.

If you are a parent, inculcate good oral hygiene habits in your children too, so that their bright and happy smiles stay protected always.

To speak to our oral hygiene experts at Apollo Dental, call: 18001020288