Oral hygiene

Oral care is a set of measures aimed at removing dental deposits in order to prevent dental diseases. The quality of its implementation depends not only on the health of the teeth, but also on the condition of the gums, oral mucosa and even the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. It is worth noting that the choice of each oral care product must be approached responsibly.

Why is it important to maintain oral hygiene?

More than 20 types of bacteria live in the mouth, the waste products of which negatively affect dental health. Bacteria feed on food particles left on the teeth after eating and secrete acids. The latter corrode tooth enamel, opening the way for microbes to penetrate inside, resulting in the formation of a carious cavity. By the way, properly selected natural toothpaste helps to minimize the occurrence of these processes. If left untreated, pulp or periodontal disease may be affected.

In addition, high-quality oral hygiene is responsible for a number of other functions:

• maintains a healthy color of enamel;
• freshens breath;
• prevents inflammation of the gums and periodontium;
• is the prevention of stomatitis (inflammation of the mucosa)

What happens if hygiene is not maintained? 

Without proper hygienic care, caries develops, which over time can be complicated by pulpitis and periodontitis. These diseases require endodontic treatment, as a result of which the tooth tissues are deprived of nutrition and become more fragile.

Untimely removal of tartar leads to inflammation of the gums and the development of periodontitis. In this case, the bone tissue of the alveolar process gradually atrophies, which can lead to loss of teeth and the need for expensive prosthetics. Thus, proper and regular dental hygiene not only preserves the health of the entire oral cavity, but is also more cost-effective than treatment.

Types of oral hygiene 

Distinguish individual hygiene, which is carried out at home, and professional in the dentist’s office.

Oral hygiene at home allows you to remove accumulated food debris and remove soft plaque. One brush and paste alone is not enough to completely clean all surfaces of the teeth and interdental spaces. The procedure should include the use of mouthwash, dental floss, or an irrigator. When wearing orthopedic structures or braces, it is also necessary to use dental brushes.

Professional dental and oral hygiene is not only a method of prevention, but also an obligatory step before any dental procedures – from whitening to surgical interventions.

Basic rules for dental hygiene 

In order for individual oral hygiene to bring the desired effect, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. After intermediate meals and snacks, it is recommended to rinse your mouth. In addition to the basic hygiene products (brush, paste), it is recommended to use additional ones: floss, rinse aid, irrigator, brush, etc.

Dental floss is designed to clean the interdental spaces. They are divided according to the shape of the cross section into round and flat. Flosses with a round section are suitable for wide interdental spaces, and flat flosses for narrow ones, for example, with crowded teeth. They are also distinguished by the presence of a wax coating. Waxed floss slips more easily into the interdental space, while uncoated floss has a more pronounced cleansing effect.