Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one’s mouth clean and free from diseases and this can be achieved by brushing twice daily and regular dental check-up.
Here are a few tips for a good oral hygiene:
- Brush twice daily with a medium bristled brush and toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Ensure that the bristle of your brush is not too soft and is not hard because using hard brushes will damage your gum and teeth with long term use.
- When buying toothpaste, ensure that it contains fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral which helps in strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay.
- Brushing with the right techniques also ensures that you effectively remove tartar from your teeth; the bristles are placed at angle 45 degree to the gum and moved in circular motions. Strokes are repeated around 20 times, 3 teeth at a time. On the inner aspect of the front teeth, the brush is pressed from the gum line in an outward manner.
- It is important to change your toothbrush every 3 months or once you notice the bristles are flaring out. You should also change your toothbrush after a cold.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months with or without any complaint for a routine checkup.
- Do not use tooth picks, the use of a dental floss is advised, as tooth picks damage the gums.