9 expert-recommended tips for good oral hygiene

We normally think brushing-flossing-rinsing is enough for maintaining good oral hygiene. But sometimes, your pearly whites may need more attention than you think. Also, getting rid of bad breath or teeth whitening does not indicate good oral hygiene. So if you want a healthy set of teeth that’ll last a lifetime, you must start taking care of them, the right way.

In most cases, the cause of tooth decay, gum diseases, or bad breath is poor oral hygiene. You may be following a proper cleansing routine, but you’ll have to do a lot more than just that to have perfectly healthy teeth.

So, how about we get to know our oral hygiene better? Also, we have some expert-recommended tips for you right here:

First, let’s start with: What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene is a routine that you follow to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth free from bacteria and diseases. It includes brushing, flossing, rinsing (mouthwash), yearly dental checkups, and more to maintain perfectly healthy pearly whites.

Why is maintaining oral hygiene important?

We think oral hygiene keeps our teeth and gums healthy and the bad breath away. True, it does that, but it is also a preventive care routine. It keeps away a lot of diseases such as tooth decay, gum infection, and other illnesses that might affect your overall health.

How exactly does bad oral hygiene affect my health?

Your mouth is a big window to the rest of your body. Hence, the bacterial buildup can travel to the rest of your body and cause other health concerns such as:

Pneumonia: Your lungs may pull in the bacteria from your mouth and trigger mild to severe respiratory diseases (depending on your age and overall health).

Endocarditis: It is a condition where bacteria from any part of your body (in this case, the mouth) will travel through the bloodstream and cling to the inner lining of the heart's chambers. Endocarditis is treatable in the early stages but can be fatal if left untreated.

Cardiovascular disease: It’s rare, but an oral bacterial infection can cause cardiovascular diseases such as clogged arteries or even a stroke in severe cases.

Complications during pregnancy: Gum diseases such as periodontitis can cause complications such as low birth weight or premature birthing.

And on the flip side, your oral health can be affected by several health concerns too, such as:

• HIV
• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Osteoporosis
• And diabetes

This is why maintaining good oral hygiene is more important than you realize.

What are the signs of bad oral hygiene?

Yes, look out for the signs! Now that you know how important it is, here are signs that may imply your oral hygiene needs attention:

1. Bad breath (Halitosis): If you experience bad breath even after thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth, it could be due to excessive bacteria buildup. At times, chronic bad breath requires medical attention for treatment.

2. Tooth decay: If you notice white or darker spots on your teeth, it’s the onset of tooth decay. It means the enamel (the outer-hard layer of your teeth) is losing its minerals due to bacterial buildup in your mouth. If left untreated, it may lead to cavities or even tooth loss in severe cases.

3. Loose teeth: The infection due to poor oral hygiene can affect the gums and even weaken the underlying bone structure of the teeth. Neglecting this will eventually cause loose or unsteady teeth.

4. Toothache and swollen jaw: The most common of all, poor oral hygiene usually leads to toothache. And if left untreated, it may trigger swelling in the jaw.

5. Bleeding gums: Yes, bleeding gums is not a good sign either. Infected or inflamed gums could lead to diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

So if you notice any of these signs, visit your dentist as soon as possible. Mostly, these conditions are treatable in the early stages.

Now, the good part: What is good oral hygiene?

Good oral hygiene is following all the healthy practices to ensure your teeth, gums, and mouth are free from bacteria and other diseases. Brushing-flossing regularly, using a mouth wash, to having dental checkups are just some of the many ways to maintain good oral health.

And if you are looking for more healthy practices, here are 9 expert-recommended tips for good oral hygiene:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day: It’s the golden rule of oral hygiene for a reason. Brushing your teeth after waking up and before going to bed can prevent plaque buildup to a great extent.

2, Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush: Fluoride toothpaste helps enamel (other-hard layer of your teeth) to replenish the lost minerals. Also, a stronger enamel will decrease the risk of tooth decay. Along with this, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to avoid hurting your gums and enamel while brushing.

3. Don’t forget to clean your tongue: Yes, the plaque won’t spare your tongue. Clean it as a part of your daily oral hygiene routine to eliminate the plaque and the risk of bad breath.

4. Flossing is important too: Yup, only brushing your teeth may not be enough. Floss your teeth to eliminate the hidden plaque, keep your gums healthy and prevent infections.

5. Use a mouth wash: Not only will it leave a minty-fresh feeling but also thoroughly clean the mouth, reach areas your toothbrush might have missed, and replenish the enamel with minerals.

6. Avoid high sugar drinks and food: Limit sugary drinks and food, especially if you have a history of tooth decay or sensitive gums. The bacteria will use the sugar in your diet to form a sticky-clear film of plaque on your teeth. And the growing plaque will only lead to toothache, decay, and other diseases.

7. Drink more water Low saliva or dry mouth is an invitation for plaque buildup too. So stay hydrated! Also, it's advisable to drink water after meals, to wash down the oily or sticky food in your mouth.

8. Avoid smoking or tobacco products: The risk of gum infection, diseases, or oral cancer is high, especially if you smoke or use tobacco products. It’s best to avoid it to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

9. Don’t skip dental checkups: Even if your teeth and gums feel perfectly okay, you must visit your dentist at least once a year. This will help rule out any plaque or tartar buildup that could cause issues in the future.

Now that you know 'what good oral hygiene is', we’ll come to the important part— the right way to brush your teeth.

What’s the right way to brush your teeth?

If you are too fast-too furious while brushing, that’s as good as not brushing! Take your time. Move the brush in gentle circular motions so it can effectively remove the plaque. Also, it’s recommended by dentists to brush your teeth for about 2 minutes or the length of your favorite song (if you have the time).

Or even better, you could switch to smart brushing with toothsi’s electro.

Why toothsi electro?

• This next-gen electronic toothbrush will take care of all your brushing needs effortlessly. Some of its benefits are: Soft bristles with sonic technology: With 40,000 vibrations per minute, it thoroughly cleans in-between teeth and every corner of your mouth effectively.

• Smart timer: It has a 2-minute smart timer with a 30-second snooze to remind you to switch sides on time.

• It’s waterproof: Yup, you can brush your teeth with toothsi electro while in the shower!

• Sleek-ergonomic design: No more hand cramps! It’s designed to fit your grip perfectly while brushing your teeth.

• 5 brushing modes: Each mode is designed to clean your teeth effectively and with care. Its 5 cleaning modes are:

Clean: Removes plaque effectively

Polish: Polishes and brightens teeth

White: Removes stains from teeth surfaces

Gum care: Massages gums gently

Sensitive: Cleans teeth and gums gently

Smart, isn’t it? Maintaining your oral hygiene cannot get easier than this! With a smart toothbrush on your shelf, you can consider your oral hygiene taken care of.

Let not aches, diseases, or even bad breath steal the thunder of your beautiful smile. And also, avoid waiting till the last minute. Consult a dentist if you are dealing with discomfort around your gums and teeth. Stick to good oral hygiene to keep your gums and teeth pink and healthy!

And if you are planning to switch from a manual toothbrush to a smart one, get toothsi electro at just ₹ 1099/- right here: toothsi-electro