Effective Dental Hygiene from Routine Care to Specific Recommendations

Good dental hygiene greatly reduces the risk of oral health issues if not completely prevented. The topic is of considerable importance as the stats show every 3 out of 4 people in the world are affected by some dental issue. Meanwhile, World Health Organization records that the average number of people with oral health issues has crossed 3.5 billion worldwide. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to know the best oral hygiene practices if or if not you have undergone any dental procedure.

Routine Dental Care to Avoid Oral Health Diseases

Regular dental care, such as proper brushing habits, avoiding stain-causing foods, restricting sugary foods, and using the dentist’s recommended toothpaste, is the easiest approach to prevent dental caries, cavities, and other teeth and gum issues. Learn the basics to practice and improve your oral habits.

Know the Golden Teeth Brushing Rules

Proper teeth brushing can prevent the simplest procedures, like scaling, and the most complicated ones, like dental implants. Dentists suggest brushing your teeth with moderate pressure in circular and vertical motions. The duration of the brushing depends on the needs, but as a general rule of thumb, brush for at least 2 minutes. Research also supports the idea that this 2-minute brushing should be prolonged to 4 minutes.

Aim to brush in the morning after breakfast and at night after meals. Use fluoride toothpaste as it can prevent and even reverse tooth decay. Flossing is another recommended routine dental care that hits the interdental gaps. Use refreshing mouthwash to keep bad breath and bacteria away.

Warning! Intense pressure while brushing can result in bleeding gums, infections, and many other teeth issues. So, learn to brush smartly, not hardly.

Avoid Foods that Can Damage You Teeth

Refrain from overconsumption of foods that are a bad choice for your oral health. Foods containing a chemical called chromogens are generally bad for your teeth. They affect the outer enamel and result in staining and discoloration of the teeth.

Tobacco smoking is another NO for the teeth and gums health as the tobacco from the cigarette can result in teeth staining, teeth loss, and gum diseases. Studies also prove that smokers have a higher ratio of stains and dental treatments like dental implants.

Other choices that need special consideration include tea, coffee, acidic and sugary foods.

Note: Don’t cut the prospect vegetables and foods completely but manage their intake and wash your mouth after eating.

Regular Dental Checkups are the Saviour

The importance of routine dental visits can never be overstated. As per the surveys examining the dental health of the people, nearly 46% of adults over the age of 30 have at least some dental issues. Therefore, make a habit of visiting your dentist at least once every 3 months.

Regular dental inspections can help diagnose caries, cavities, or other diseases. The dentists perform teeth scaling and polishing and examine the overall health of teeth and gums for any danger at an early stage. Prevention is always better than cure, so let your dentist do the job and save you from complicated procedures and surgeries.

Procedure-Specific Dental Care

Dental care becomes an absolute necessity after specific cosmetic or treatment procedures. Following a complete set of oral care guidelines can help you heal quickly, prevent any future occurrence, and progression to any complications.

The treatment-specific dental care instructions are as follows:

Dental Cleaning Procedures

Scaling and teeth whitening procedures are noninvasive procedures for removing tartar deposits and yellowing of the teeth' surface. They are conducted during routine dental visits and are not associated with any serious complications.

Required Dental Care

Scaling and whitening don’t require any special care, but the general instructions to be followed include:

• Avoid eating or drinking any nerve-stimulating foods like extreme hots and colds.
• Refrain from acidic, stain-causing, and hard to eat foods
• Brush regularly two times a day with a soft bristle brush.
• Avoid smoking to reduce the risk of plaque deposition.
• Visit your dentist regularly to follow up on the cleaning regime.

Tip: Prefer eating fiber-rich vegetables and fruits and fluoride-rich foods to maintain good oral health.

Root Canal

A root canal is a dental procedure that repairs and protects a severely infected tooth instead of removing it. The treatment requires mild local anesthesia and cleans the canals inside the roots of the tooth to remove bacteria.

Required Dental Care

The general instructions to follow preceding the root canal include but are not limited to the following:

• Take the recommended painkiller to soothe the discomfort.
• Eat a soft and bland diet for at least 3-5 days.
• Avoid eating foods that require excessive chewing or biting.
• Don’t smoke. It can affect your healing and recovery timelines.
• Follow up with your dentist if you experience bleeding or any concerning symptoms.

Cosmetic Treatments

Cosmetic treatments are intended to correct the alignment, contour the teeth, and improve dental aesthetics. They include aligners, braces, crowns, veneers, and bridges.

Required Dental Care

Cosmetic dental procedures are long-term and take months to years until completion. The general dental care instructions include:

• After every brace tightening or procedure session, take pain medication to avoid any discomfort.
• Brush your teeth properly at night and after breakfast.
• Avoid grinding your teeth.
• Don’t eat or drink immediately for about 30 minutes.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are medical devices that support artificial teeth, such as bridges, dentures, and crowns. The surgical procedure requires several sessions for completion and months for healing.

Required Dental Care

The recommended dental care when undergoing dental implant procedure is:

• Avoid sucking from straw and drinking hot liquids for 24 hours after the procedure.
• Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash at least three to four times a day or as recommended.
• Take the prescribed medicines to avoid the risk of infection.
• Follow up with your dentist to avoid any risks.

Conclusion

Oral hygiene requires special consideration but can prevent several dental issues. Practice regular brushing, flossing, and other recommended care tips and make them a compulsion after undergoing noninvasive or surgical dental procedures. This can help treat the issues, reduce the risk of complications, and prevent the spread of infection that might lead to permanent tooth loss.