Basic Principles of Dental Hygiene: How to Care for Your Teeth Every Day?
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Inadequate oral hygiene is a significant risk factor not only for local dental and gum problems such as caries, gingivitis and periodontitis, but also for systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Therefore, to take care of your overall health and good daily well-being, it is important to prophylactically care for dental and oral health.
By following simple basic principles of oral hygiene daily, we can maintain a healthy and beautiful smile for life. With advice on how to properly care for your dental hygiene daily and how to prophylactically protect teeth from damage, shares hygienist at the Health and Beauty Center Adoria Anita Preisa
Basic Principles of Dental Hygiene
Daily dental hygiene is essential to maintain tooth and gum health and avoid unnecessary expenses in the dentist's office solving already advanced problems. A few minutes a day devoted to thorough oral hygiene, choosing quality oral care products and preventive dental hygienist visits is the simplest, yet most effective way to maintain dental health and aesthetic appearance.
Tooth Brushing
Teeth should be brushed twice a day – in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before bedtime, using fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. The brushing process should take no less than 2 minutes, thoroughly cleaning the inner, outer and chewing surface of each tooth.
Remember to clean the tongue and gum line as well to get rid of bacteria and improve breath freshness. The toothbrush should be held at a 45-degree angle to the gum line, making gentle, circular motions. Too vigorous tooth brushing can traumatize gums and tooth enamel, promoting tooth sensitivity, gingivitis risk and tooth enamel erosion.
Regular Flossing
Most often, caries spreads the fastest precisely in interdental spaces, so it is important to regularly use interdental cleaning agents. Dental floss should be used at least once a day or after meals.
Holding the floss stretched between the thumb and index finger, it should be gently inserted between the teeth, avoiding aggressive sawing motions that can traumatize the gums and cause bleeding. When the floss reaches the gum line, the subgingival line should also be carefully cleaned. If using dental floss is not the most suitable solution, special interdental brushes or a water flosser can be used.
Using Mouthwash
Mouthwashes can help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth while also providing fresher breath. To maximize the product's effectiveness, mouthwash is recommended to be used immediately after brushing and flossing, and for at least 30 minutes after rinsing, refrain from drinking and eating to allow the active ingredients to work.
However, it is important to remember that using mouthwashes does not replace tooth brushing and flossing, but is a valuable addition to the daily oral and dental hygiene routine. Some mouthwashes contain fluorides that help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent caries risk, but it is important to choose the most suitable product for your individual needs, consulting a dentist, dental hygienist or pharmacist.
Professional Dental Hygiene Twice a Year
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Dental hygienists can be called your teeth's best friend, so visits to the dental hygienist should be planned no less than 2 times a year, or more frequently – if recommended by the dentist. The dental hygiene procedure includes several steps. First, soft plaque and tartar are removed using both hand and mechanical instruments, and interdental spaces are thoroughly flossed.
Then, teeth are polished with a special paste to remove surface stains and make the tooth surface smoother, thus making it harder for new plaque to form. Finally, a fluoride-containing agent is applied to strengthen tooth enamel. Regular visits to the dental hygienist are the most effective way to prophylactically prevent dental and gum diseases, as well as maintain an aesthetic and well-groomed tooth appearance.
Avoid Sugary and Acidic Products
Daily, it is important to limit the consumption of sugary and acidic products, as they significantly promote caries development risk. Sugar serves as food for bacteria in the oral cavity, which, processing it, produce organic acids. These acids lower the pH level in the oral cavity, promoting tooth enamel demineralization, which is the first step in the caries development process.
Meanwhile, acidic products, including citrus fruits and carbonated drinks, contain acids that can directly cause tooth enamel erosion, making the enamel more porous and susceptible to caries. This does not mean that acidic fruits and vegetables need to be excluded from the diet, but after consuming them, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum for 10–15 minutes. This will neutralize the acid and stimulate saliva secretion, helping to restore normal pH level in the oral cavity.
- How to choose a highly qualified and experienced dentist for both preventive dental check-ups and solving more serious dental and gum problems? If you are looking for your dentist, read the article “How to Choose the Right Dentist: The Most Important Factors to Consider” and get useful tips that will facilitate your choice!
Caring for Dental Health – From Childhood
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Regular dentist visits for children should be started from an early age to detect and prevent dental problems in time. The first visit to the dentist is recommended when the first tooth erupts, to check the child's tooth development and provide parents with advice on proper tooth care.
To help the child develop a positive attitude towards dentist visits, it is advisable to start visiting the dental hygienist every six months at 2–3 years old. Although at this age stage, full dental hygiene may not be possible, the child will form positive associations and understanding that caring for dental hygiene is an important part of daily routine.
Entrust the Care of Your Dental Health to the Adoria Dentistry Specialist Team!
Modern dentistry in Riga, at the Health and Beauty Center Adoria, offers a wide range of dental services, from general dental therapy, dental surgery and prosthetics services, to aesthetic dentistry. Book your appointment on the website or by calling +371 67 315 000!