Thrush, swollen gums, bad breath, or cavities are some examples of poor oral and dental health. Poor oral and dental health can lead to various complications of dangerous diseases. Then how to maintain good oral and dental health?
Daily habits to maintain healthy teeth and mouth
Bacteria in the mouth that can be harmful are known as the oral microbiome. These bacteria live in the area of the cheeks, tongue, palate, tonsils, and gums. If the oral environment is too acidic, moist, and dirty, disease-causing bacteria can thrive.
Not only in the mouth, bacteria can enter the bloodstream so that they can move to the heart, intestines, and brain. One of the harmful bacteria that can cause inflammation in the body is Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) which includes bacteria that cause gum problems.
A study conducted by the University of Louisville School of Medicine showed that the amount of Pg in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s was higher than the brains of healthy people. This suggests that the oral microbiome can travel to the brain and cause infection.
Therefore, you must always maintain healthy teeth and mouth through daily habits.
Don’t brush your teeth too hard
One of the purposes of a toothbrush is to remove dental plaque. However, if you brush too hard, the friction can tear your gums and erode the relatively thin tooth enamel. As a result, your teeth can become more sensitive.
In addition, how to brush your teeth incorrectly can make dental plaque build up and harden which can lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). Brushing your teeth should be done gently in a circular motion and massage your teeth for about two minutes.
Brush your teeth regularly
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day. Because brushing your teeth is useful for cleaning food debris and plaque that contains bacteria in it.
Quoted from The American Dental Association, the following techniques are good and correct brushing teeth.
Try to position the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums
Start moving the toothbrush back and forth slowly
Clean the outside, inside and the surface of the teeth for chewing
Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth
In addition to brushing your teeth, you are also encouraged to brush your tongue to remove germs or plaque that sticks to your tongue and maintain the health of your oral teeth as a whole.
Use fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that you can find in toothpaste.
Fluoride is absorbed by the body and then used by the cells that build your teeth to strengthen tooth enamel. Fluoride is also a major defense against tooth decay, working by fighting germs and providing natural protection for your teeth.
Using dental floss
If you don’t have time to brush your teeth after eating, you can prevent toothaches by flossing. Dental floss is able to clean particles and plaque that are left behind and still accumulate because they are difficult to reach.
Using mouthwash or gargling with a saline solution
In addition to expelling bad breath, mouthwash can also be relied upon to prevent toothache. The content in the mouthwash is claimed to be able to control the growth of bacteria while reducing plaque that is still attached.
In addition to gargling with mouthwash, you can also use natural ways to prevent toothache, namely by regularly gargling with salt water. Natural disinfectant solution in salt can also heal wounds and relieve sore throats.
Chewing gum
Chewing sugar-free gum is believed to increase saliva in the oral cavity. This increased salivary flow helps in neutralizing and removing the acids produced when food is broken down by bacteria in dental plaque.
When you chew gum, saliva is also able to help reduce plaque, strengthen teeth, and prevent cavities.
Don’t smoke
Tobacco can cause yellow teeth and black lips. Smoking can also increase your risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer. Therefore, it’s a good idea to stop smoking in order to maintain healthy teeth and mouth.
Drink more water
Water is the best drink for your health, including oral health. Drinking water can help wash away some of the negative effects of food and drink on your teeth.