Amid the current global situation, maintaining good oral health at home is crucial. This guide aims to provide effective methods and tips suggested by experts for maintaining your dental health, particularly when visiting a dentist isn’t feasible.
Oral health is often overlooked, but it serves as a window to our overall health. Ignoring dental health could lead to various diseases, making it vital to maintain proper oral hygiene. This guide will detail the importance of dental health and how to effectively care for your teeth at home, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Oral health is more than just having a bright smile. It impacts our overall health and wellbeing. Neglecting oral health can lead to severe health issues, making it imperative for us to maintain good oral hygiene.
Oral health is interconnected with our general health. Problems in the mouth can indicate issues elsewhere in the body. Oral infections can also contribute to severe health problems like heart diseases and diabetes.
According to recent statistics, only around 67% of Americans have visited a dentist within the past year. Yet, 90% of Americans understand the importance of oral health, indicating a gap between knowledge and action.
Without regular visits to the dentist, maintaining oral health at home becomes even more critical. Here are some expert-recommended tips for maintaining dental health.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is fundamental to good oral health. It helps to remove food particles and plaque that could lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
The American Dental Association suggests flossing at least once a day. Flossing helps to eliminate food particles and plaque stuck between the teeth, which can cause gum disease or cavities.
A significant step in oral hygiene is cleaning your tongue. It helps prevent bad breath and improves oral hygiene. Experts recommend both brushing the tongue and using a tongue scraper.
An electric toothbrush is more effective in removing food particles and bacteria from your mouth. Research indicates that brushing for two minutes with an electric toothbrush is equivalent to seven minutes of manual brushing.
“Tooth brushing alone only cleans 60 to 70% of the tooth surface area, so if you are not cleaning between your teeth, you are leaving 30 to 40% of your teeth untouched! These sites are often hotspots for both decay and gum disease,” dental hygienist Camilla Bevan told The Sun.
While there are many steps you can take to maintain oral health, there are also actions you should avoid.
Healthline’s flossing guide instructs people to break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss before winding the floss around both of their middle fingers.
Experts advise against home remedies for teeth whitening. These can cause erosive wear, making teeth yellower and more sensitive. Instead, try to prevent staining by avoiding foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine.
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums could be a sign of gingivitis. If left untreated, it could develop into a more severe form of gum disease, leading to bone loss in the jaw.
