Dental Hygiene

How can one maintain good dental hygiene?

Proper dental and oral hygiene will prevent the formation of plaque, which, as explained above, is the main factor that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. Parents must guide children as to the proper dental hygiene methods they should practise daily. You can also seek your dentist’s advice about the proper oral and dental hygiene practices to be followed.

Antiseptic mouthwashes
Use regularly after brushing and/or flossing to kill plaque-forming bacteria, and especially if you have bad breath.

Fluoride use
Flouride protects and strengthens your teeth by binding with enamel. Use fluoride in toothpaste, fluoridated drinking water or dental treatments, or take a fluoride supplement.

Precautions to be taken in your oral hygiene program

Taking care of your teeth begins in infancy and will be a lifelong concern. There are some precautions that must be taken at various life-stages and under various conditions.

• Infants – use a moist cloth or a soft toothbrush to wipe the tooth clean. Use only very limited amounts of toothpaste, especially if it contains fluoride, as too much of the ingredient can be toxic to infants.
• Adults with partial or full dentures or bridges – you must maintain proper dental and oral hygiene as instructed by the dental hygienist or dentist in order to prevent gum disease. Denture users must regularly visit their dentist to realign and adjust the dentures as required to prevent red and swollen gums.

Brushing and flossing precautions:

• Must be done thoroughly but not too vigorously, as rough movements can irritate or damage sensitive oral tissues.
• Sore or bleeding gums in the first few days after flossing are normal. However, any bleeding, sore or abnormal condition that last beyond one week should be reported to the dentist.

Prevention

• Regular visits to the dentist – at least every six months to monitor dental and oral health.
• Regular professional dental cleaning – fluoride treatments, sealant application and scaling to help to scrape off the hardened plaque (tartar).
• Diagnostic services – go for X-ray imaging and oral cancer screening.
• Treatment services – fillings, crowns and bridges to restore and retain teeth.

Healthy eating for healthy teeth

Eating a balanced diet plays an important role in dental health. A balanced diet includes all the main food groups: fruits and vegetables, milk products, meat, fish, etc.

Foods that cause tooth decay:

• Foods with a high concentration of sugar – cakes, ice cream, honey, etc.
• Acidic drinks with a low pH value – can damage the tooth enamel.
• Sticky foods – these do not get washed away from the tooth surface easily by the saliva, hence increasing the exposure of teeth to sugar and acids and, consequently, tooth decay.

Foods that are good for oral health:

• Foods high in fibre, such as fresh fruits and vegetables – they increase the saliva flow, which neutralises acids, helping to clean the teeth of food particles and sugars during chewing.
• Rich foods without sugar – milk, yoghurt, rice, meat, fish, fruits, etc.
• Fruits and vegetables that contain a high volume of water – pears, melons, celery, and cucumbers.

Good eating habits

• Consume sweets only with main meals and not between meals – saliva production is increased during main meals, thereby neutralising most of the acids and lessening the hazard.
• Avoid sugary or acidic drinks between meals, and drink milk or water instead.
• Finish your meal with yellow cheese – this helps neutralise the acids in the mouth, especially after the consumption of sweet foods.