Dental Health Tips - Oswal Dental Clinic

It is the dream every person to have pearly white teeth and a healthy mouth. Few people are aware about the ways to maintain a good oral hygiene. Here are a few tips which help you to improve your oral health and hygiene.

Brushing twice a day

In fact brushing thrice a day is most ideal. But it is not feasible for many. Hence, try to maintain the habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day i.e. once in the morning and once in the night. But avoid overdoing brushing. Brushing too often can also erode your tooth enamel. Do not brush soon after eating or drinking acidic drinks as it can increase the risk of tooth abrasion. It is ideal to brush 30 minutes after meals.

Brush for the right amount of time

It is best suggested that you brush your teeth for two to three minutes. You can divide the mouth into quadrants and spend around 30 seconds for each quadrant to clean the surfaces perfectly. Do not brush for a long duration of time as it will erode your tooth enamel. In the case of people with oral complications like misaligned teeth, crowned teeth or braces, you can brush for a long time for effective cleaning.

Brush at the right angle

Brushing is an art form which needs to be done correctly. Do not brush horizontally along the gum line as this may cause abrasions on the teeth. While brushing all you have to do is to place the bristles of your brush at a 45 degree angle along the gum line and brush in an up and down direction with short and circular strokes. Angle your brush vertically in order to clean the inner side surfaces of your front teeth.

Do not forget about the plaque

Always remove plaque from all surfaces including the outer, inner and chewing part of the teeth. Also remember to brush the inner surfaces of your teeth where the tongue presses against the teeth.

Tongue Cleaning

Did you know that the grooves and ridges present on your tongue can be the breeding ground for bacteria? Hence it is very important to maintain a good oral hygiene practice. This includes cleaning your tongue too. It is ideal to use a tongue cleaner to clean your tongue by gently scraping it. You may also use the bristles of your toothbrush for this purpose but it will not be very effective in cleaning your tongue.

Do not forget to floss

Flossing helps to remove plaque from areas where your toothbrush cannot reach. These spaces include the area between your teeth and gum line. It is ideal to floss prior to brushing as it helps to facilitate the fluoride from the toothpaste to reach between your teeth. It takes 24 hours for the bacteria to colonize and form plaque. Hence it is recommended to do flossing once a day in order to prevent the development of plaque. If you floss often, you might end up irritating and causing damage to your gums.

Mouth Rinse

Scientists believe that it is perfectly fine to use mouthwash at least once or twice a day. Antibacterial mouth rinses helps to kill the harmful bacteria which are associated with gum and plaque disease. If you are more prone to cavities it is ideal to mouth rinse with fluoride which will be very helpful. Most dentists advise to use the additional option of mouthwash to maintain a good and healthy oral hygiene. According to a survey the use of alcohol containing mouthwashes might increase the risk of development of oral cancer. The alcohol also leads to dryness of your mouth which will also harm your gums and teeth.

Regularly change your toothbrush

It is also important to change your toothbrush from time to time. Dentists suggest that you should change your brush every three months or when the bristles of your toothbrush start to fray. If your bristles flare earlier than three months it indicates that you are brushing your teeth too hard. You can also use an electric toothbrush as the rotating and oscillating movement of its head removes plaque from the teeth more effectively than a normal toothbrush. Choose electric toothbrush which are comfortable to hold, has the rotating oscillating head and is also easy to use.

Teeth care during Night

A lot can happen in your mouth during your 8 hours of sleep. Bacteria might also accumulate on your teeth. Your teeth might also be at a risk of different dental problems like gingivitis, cavities, tartar or plaque. Take into consideration the following before you sleep, which will help you to maintain a good oral health while you are asleep.

• Brush before going to bud- Brush your teeth before you go to sleep at night as it will help to protect your teeth again the buildup of plaque, gum disease and tooth decay. If you are more susceptible to gum disease and cavities, dentists recommend immediate brushing of your teeth soon after dinner and again before your bedtime.
• Awareness of teeth grinding- If your tooth enamel is worn out or you experience tooth sensitivity or torn cheek tissue, you might end up grinding your teeth in your sleep. Teeth grinding cannot be stopped but dentists can make you a mouth guard which can be worn during the night to protect your teeth from the effects of teeth grinding.

Visit your dentist regularly

Ensure a regular schedule of dental checkups and cleaning to keep your teeth clean and also your gums healthy over the long run. Preventive care and maintenance of teeth are important for a healthy mouth. Maintaining a good daytime and night time oral hygiene is equally important to keep your mouth and teeth healthy and strong.

There are many dental clinics in Pune like Oswal Dental and Oral Surgery Clinic who are providing optimal treatment in order to improve the dental health of their patients.