By jerryD September 10, 2014 - 2:52am

You must have heard this term oral hygiene a lot and most of us have a fair idea as to what it stands for. We have been taught from our very first community class in the school as to how one should maintain a good oral hygiene which includes brushing, flossing etc which helps us maintain a good smile and a good breathe. So why is a good oral hygiene important?

1) Helps fight plaque: A good oral hygiene keeps plaque at bay. Plaque is the main culprit behind innumerable dental problems. Plaque buildup eventually culminates into cavities and other gum diseases.
2) Keeps bad breath away: Bad breathe is a huge turn off for many. It results in some people losing confidence and many become reclusive. By following a good oral hygiene, you can bring back your lost confidence.

What constitutes as a good oral hygiene?

Brushing your teeth and tongue twice a day:
Following this age old saying is sometimes enough to maintain a good oral hygiene.
Brushing twice daily with a soft bristled brush using the proper brushing technique can ward off some of the evils that arise due to a bad oral hygiene. It is recommended that one should brush their teeth with good toothpaste once in the morning after waking up and once every night before going to sleep. Avoid having any food before brushing your teeth in the morning. The bristles must be soft to avoid damaging the enamel of the teeth and the gums. Brush gently.

Flossing:
Floss your teeth once every day to prevent plaque buildup between the gaps of the teeth.

Eat the right stuff:
Our diet plays a major role in our overall health. If your diet is rich in sugar then you are doing more harm than good for your health. Starch in our diet is sticky and thus helps plaque to stick to your teeth attracting bacteria that uses the sugar in your diet to form acids. This acid then reacts with your enamel thus destroying your tooth. So be aware of what you eat. Do not forget to gargle your mouth with water after every meal. This way food particle that gets stuck between the teeth is removed.

Tobacco:
Chew it or smoke it; either way it is harmful for your overall health including your teeth.

Consult your dentist:
Everyone has different oral needs. Your dentist is the right person to recommend solutions that are best suited for your oral hygiene.

Bad oral hygiene can affect your speech, self-esteem, the way you chew your food and your overall health. Maintaining a simple and a healthy oral habit will eventually save you a lot of money and time that you may have to spend on costly and painful dental procedures later on. So don’t wait for the first signs of dental problems before jumping on to the good hygiene wagon. So, if you have been lazy so far then it’s the right time to start maintaining a good oral hygiene today.