Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems by regularly brushing the teeth and cleaning between the teeth.

Oral hygiene is preventative care. By taking appropriate care of teeth and gums, oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other problems may be stopped before they ever begin. A healthy mouth makes life more enjoyable. It enables you to communicate your emotions through facial expressions like smiling and allows you to talk properly as well as taste, chew, and swallow tasty and healthy foods.

The WHO Global Oral Health Status Report (2022) estimated that oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide, with 3 out of 4 people affected living in middle-income countries. Globally, an estimated 2 billion people suffer from caries of permanent teeth and 514 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth (WHO,2022).

Dental plaque, a clingy, invisible film of microorganisms, must be eliminated to maintain teeth health. Plaque accumulation can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Common dental issues include:

1.  Dental caries: Dental caries is a pathological disease that develops during tooth emergence and causes the destruction of enamel and dentine, resulting in a cavity.
2. Gingivitis: This inflammatory condition only affects the gingiva's marginal tissue.
3. Poor Breath: Everyone occasionally has bad breath as a result of particular meals, but if your bad breath is chronic and persistent, it frequently indicates a more serious underlying issue. In most cases, oral hygiene can relieve and prevent foul breath.
4. Sensitivity teeth: Another frequent concern is sensitive teeth, which are typically brought on by damage to the outer enamel of the tooth, leaving the interior tissues of the tooth susceptible to external stimuli. Excessive sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures might be a symptom of sensitivity. It may be uncomfortable to floss and clean your teeth.
5. Dental erosion: When dietary acids cause enamel to erode, tooth erosion results. Acidic and sugary diets can encourage tooth deterioration.
6. A cracked or chipped tooth can result from biting or chewing on hard foods, from teeth grinding during the night, from accidents, or from traumas.
7. Oral cancer: Oral cancer is a serious and deadly disease. The use of alcohol and tobacco are some of the main causes of oral cancer. Frequent dental checkups can aid in the early detection of oral cancer.

Practice proper oral hygiene every day to safeguard your dental health.

• Use fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day to brush your teeth.
• Spend two minutes brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Employ a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Regularly using dental floss or another interdental cleaning tool can effectively remove plaque and debris from the spaces between teeth, where toothbrush bristles cannot reach.
• After brushing and flossing, use mouthwash to get rid of any food particles that remained.
• Maintain a balanced diet and avoid sugary foods and beverages. making water the primary beverage.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Arrange routine dental examinations and cleanings.

Conclusion

Prevention and early treatment are crucial in maintaining good oral health. It is important to understand that dental problems are common, but they should not be ignored. Neglecting dental issues can have negative impacts on not only oral health, but also overall health and well-being. A healthy diet and good oral hygiene habits, such as regular brushing and flossing, are key to preventing many oral health conditions. However, if problems do arise, it is important to seek professional dental care as soon as possible. Early treatment can often prevent further damage and more extensive and costly treatment in the future. Poor dental health can affect self-esteem and make individuals feel self-conscious or embarrassed.

 

Therefore, it is important to prioritize and maintain good oral health practices, and seek professional dental care when needed. This will not only improve oral health, but also contribute to overall health and well-being.

 

Rojina Chapagain

Registered Nurse