Oral hygiene

What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one’s mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth. A huge number of dental issues are preventable and can be avoided simply by having a good oral care routine. Cavities, plaque, calculus and much more can be prevented with regular brushing and flossing.

Bad oral hygiene habits

There are many things that we do that are bad habits when it comes to our teeth. They include:

Brushing less than twice a day.
Never flossing.
Drinking red wine or coffee.
Smoking or chewing tobacco.
Eating foods high in refined sugar (such as white bread and candy).
Snacking throughout the day without brushing.
Brushing too hard.
Avoiding the dentist altogether.

What a good oral routine looks like

- Your teeth are sparklingly clean!
- There’s no debris or junk in between them.
- Your gums are a light pink and do not bleed when you brush or floss.
- You don’t have to worry about bad breath!
- You brush at least twice a day.
- You brush for at least 2 minutes each time, brushing in small circular motions.
- You use fluoride toothpaste.
- You floss regularly.
- You use a toothbrush with appropriate bristles.
- You avoid sugary foods and things that will stain your teeth.
- You visit the dentist regularly.

To make sure you have a good oral hygiene routine, get a Toothpic online dental consult to ensure you are brushing correctly and learn how your habits are affecting your oral health.