Oral hygiene frees teeth, gums, and other mouth structures from infections, tooth decay, and bacteria. It is crucial to your oral health and overall well-being, boosts self-esteem, and improves quality of life. Contrary to popular belief, proper oral hygiene practices go beyond brushing, flossing, and visiting an experienced Anaheim dentist regularly. Please continue this blog post to learn more about dental care basics.

Why Oral Hygiene is Essential

Your teeth are connected to your facial jawbone through the tooth’s roots. The roots are ingrained in the jawbone to offer strength and structure to your mouth, aiding speaking, chewing, and biting. Without proper oral hygiene, your teeth risk bacteria buildup (plaque and tartar). Over time, the buildup can affect the appearance of your smile. It appears as a yellow build-up around your gum line and on your teeth.

If left untreated, the bacteria can create dental pockets after your gum tissues begin to pull away from the teeth. It can also result in gum recession, which finally exposes tooth roots.

Oral hygiene is preventative dental care that stops other oral health issues like halitosis (bad breath), gum disease, and tooth cavities. Preventive dental care is more pocket-friendly than emergency or restorative dental care like implants, dentures, bridges, crowns, and fillings. In other words, it saves you worry, money, and time in the long run.

Additionally, your oral health plays a significant role in your overall health. For instance, if infections in the mount enter your bloodstream, it could lead to other health issues like:

  • Cardiovascular diseases.
  • Endocarditis (infections of the heart’s inner lining).
  • Stroke.
  • Pregnancy complications like low birth weight and premature birth.
  • Pneumonia.

On the other hand, some diseases can adversely affect your gums and teeth. They include Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and diabetes. If you suffer from these conditions, you should ask your dental healthcare provider to promote and support your overall health through proper dental hygiene.

Components of Dental Care Routine

Although every person has unique dental care needs, most dental routines should include the following:

Best Brushing Techniques

Food residues can remain in your gums and teeth whenever you drink or eat. The food residues and bacteria change into plaque, a sticky film that could calcify if it stays on your teeth for an extended period. When plaque hardens, it becomes calculus, which is impossible to remove using a toothbrush.

The calculus contains bacteria that emit acids that lead to tooth cavities, which break down your enamel and tunnel inside your mouth along the jawbone and nerve, resulting in tooth infections. The bacteria can also irritate and damage your gum tissues, ligaments that hold your teeth securely in place, and the jawbone, causing tooth loss. If left untreated, the bacteria could spread to other body parts, including the heart, brain, and lungs.

Brushing removes tartar and plaque that continually form around the gumline and on teeth. To achieve the optimal results of tooth brushing, here are some tips:

  • Using the proper toothbrush — A soft-bristled toothbrush is typically the safest option. If you brush your teeth vigorously and have weak teeth, hard or medium-bristled toothbrushes could damage your root surface, gums, and tooth enamel. You should not brush with a toothbrush that has natural bristles; they could retain bacteria. Your toothbrush head should be small enough to reach all the tooth surfaces. Also, select a toothbrush with a handle that you can grip comfortably.
  • Brush at least twice daily — Brushing your teeth once daily is better than failing to do so. However, brushing twice is essential. Food could form plaque in about 8 hours, meaning brushing your teeth once daily leads to plenty of plaque buildup on the teeth.
  • Always use fluoride toothpaste — Flouride removes plaque and strengthens your tooth enamel. Different toothpaste brands contain wide-ranging features, like desensitizing, whitening, controlling tartar, and various flavors. Your Anaheim dentist should help you select a brand that suits your preferences and oral needs.
  • Replace worn-out toothbrushes — You should replace your toothbrush after a couple of months of usage. Signs you need to change your toothbrush include frayed bristles, your teeth not feeling clean after brushing, your toothbrush smells, you do not remember when you last replaced it, and you were recently sick.
  • Use the correct teeth-brushing techniques — First, apply pea-sized toothpaste. Instead of brushing across your teeth, you should brush in little circular motions with your toothbrush in a 45-degree position when brushing your front teeth. Brush the inward part of your teeth by opening your mouth wide and positioning your brush at your gum line.
  • Refrain from over brushing. Otherwise, you risk wearing down your enamel and exposing your dentin. Dentin has small holes leading to nerve endings. When they are triggered, you can feel pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that approximately 20% of American adults experience tooth sensitivity and pain.
  • The tongue holds bacteria like a sponge. Therefore, remember to brush your tongue when brushing your teeth. You can use a toothbrush or tongue scraper.

Flossing and Why It Is Essential

Flossing is the process of cleaning between your teeth and gums using dental floss, a thin filament. The filament comprises nylon, silk, or Teflon. It can be waxed, slightly waxed, or unwaxed.

There are two types of dental floss: ribbon and string. Ribbon floss works well on teeth with adequate space in between. On the other hand, string floss is more effective than ribbon floss and is appropriate for closely linked teeth.

There are several flossing pros, including the following:

  • Flossing maintains your dental health —By eliminating plaque, flossing prevents the build-up of bacteria. Regular flossing keeps your teeth bright and clean by removing unwanted food particles and plaque.
  • Lowers the risk of dental cavities — Bacteria that develop between teeth can cause gum irritation and potentially weaken and damage your tooth’s protective surface (tooth enamel). It could lead to the formation of cavities (small openings in your enamel). Although the cavity development process is gradual, the more plaque accumulates on your teeth’s enamel, the greater the risk of having a cavity.
  • Reduces bad mouth odor — Halitosis (bad breath) is common among many. Flossing is an effective way to tackle bad breath.
  • Helps avoid gum disease — The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis, characterized by gum inflammation, which could lead to bleeding when brushing or flossing. Brushing twice daily and flossing removes plaque, lowering the risk of developing gum disease.

Choosing the Right Diet For Healthy Teeth and a Beautiful Smile

Observing a good diet is vital to ensuring optimal dental health care. Foods that benefit your oral health include the following:

  • Leafy greens — Kale, broccoli, and spinach are nutrient-rich in folic acid, vitamin B, and calcium. Calcium strengthens your teeth, while folic acid promotes gum health. These greens also have antioxidants that could lower gum inflammation and the risk of gum disease.
  • Fruits and vegetables — Crisp fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, and celery are great for your teeth. Their steady texture stimulates saliva production, which assists in neutralizing harmful acids and washing away food residues. These fruits and vegetables also contain rich amounts of vitamins and fiber, offering additional benefits for your general dental health and digestion.
  • Dairy products — Milk, yogurt, and cheese contain calcium and phosphorus. These essential minerals keep your enamel healthy and strong, protecting your teeth from sensitivity and decay. Dairy products also have casein, a protein that prevents the loss of minerals from your tooth enamel. A diet rich in dairy products can contribute significantly to a robust and healthy smile.
  • Fatty acids (fish and omega-3) — Fish like mackerel and salmon have omega-3, with anti-inflammatory nutrients that improve gum health. The fatty acids also aid in lowering the risk of periodontal disease, a severe dental condition that affects the teeth’s supporting structures. A fish-rich diet also enhances your smile.
  • Nuts and seeds — Nuts and seeds are appropriate sources of vital minerals like phosphorus, calcium, and beneficial fats. They promote saliva production and help remineralize, improving teeth and gums health.
  • Cranberries — Cranberries contain polyphenols that prevent bacteria from attaching themselves to your teeth and leading to plaque formation. Nevertheless, it is crucial to regulate your cranberry intake. They are acidic and could erode your tooth’s enamel if consumed excessively.

Some of the foods and drinks you should avoid or limit your intake to protect your dental health include the following:

  • Processed and sticky snacks — Snacks like chewy candy and caramel can stick to your teeth, increasing your risk of developing cavities. Processed snacks mostly contain added sugars and preservatives that could harm oral health. Instead, consider eating healthier snacks like nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Sugary beverages and foods — Constant consumption of sugary foods and beverages, like cakes, candies, and sodas, could cause tooth decay. Sugar-consuming mouth bacteria produce acids that erode your tooth enamel and cause cavities.
  • Acidic foods and beverages — Acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and carbonated drinks could weaken your tooth enamel, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay. After eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with enough water and wait for up to thirty minutes before brushing your teeth to prevent more erosion of the enamel.

Drinking Fluoridated Water

Fluoridated water is one reason Americans' oral health has improved. The CDC reports that drinking fluoridated water reduces cavities by around 25 percent in adults and children, keeping teeth strong.

Fluoridated water is an affordable and most effective dental cavity prevention measure available to all, regardless of income, education level, or age. Additionally, it remineralizes teeth.

Staying Hydrated

Water washes away food particles left behind from meals and snacks and promotes saliva production. Saliva protects your teeth from dental issues like infections and cavities. You should drink at least eight-ounce glasses of water daily for optimal dental and general health.

Although not as beneficial as water, drinking iced or hot herbal teas can be equally crucial for oral health.

Regular Dental Visits

Even if you take superb care of your gums and teeth at home, you must visit your dentist regularly. The physician can check for and identify oral issues you might not feel or see; most dental problems are not apparent or cause pain until they are in advanced stages. Regular dental visits allow the dentist to diagnose and treat the issues early.

While you should visit your dentist every six months, some people need more frequent visits. They include the following:

  • Expectant mothers.
  • Diabetics.
  • Smokers.
  • Individuals with a weak immune response to bacterial infection.
  • Gum disease patients.

Here is what to expect during your dental visit:

  • Through dental cleaning — Your dentist will pay attention to tartar and plaque; tartar and plaque build up quickly if you fail to practice proper oral hygiene between dental visits. Tobacco, beverages, and food can also stain your teeth. If not removed, the plaque can harden on your teeth, irritate your gums, and cause gum disease. During dental cleaning, your doctor will use special equipment to remove tartar (scaling). Finally, the dentist will polish and floss the teeth.
  • A comprehensive dental exam — Your dentist will perform a neck and head examination and analyze your mouth’s health for signs of vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, or oral cancer. They will also examine your temporomandibular joint movement, saliva, bite, and face.
  • Performing X-rays —The diagnostic imaging test can diagnose issues you cannot see with your naked eyes, like abscesses, tumors, decay between teeth, damaged jawbones, and impacted teeth.

Use Mouthwash

Like dental floss, water flossers, and interdental toothbrushes, mouthwash can get between your teeth, reaching regions your toothbrush cannot reach.

Mouthwash can assist:

  • Control or prevent tooth decay.
  • Freshen breath.
  • Reduce plaque.
  • Lower the rate at which tartar forms on your teeth.
  • Reduce or prevent gingivitis.

There are two primary forms of mouthwashes, namely:

  • Cosmetic mouthwashes — They can temporarily reduce or control bad breath and leave the mouth with a pleasant taste.
  • Therapeutic mouthwashes —They have ingredients that kill bacteria and can reduce gingivitis, bad breath, cavities, and plaque.

Some therapeutic mouthwashes require a prescription, but most are available over the counter. Your dentist should guide you on whether you need mouthwash and the best type.

Pick an American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance product when choosing your over-the-counter mouthwash. This implies that the product has been tested and proved effective and safe.

Children under six should not use mouthwash. They can accidentally swallow it, which can lead to intoxication, nausea, and vomiting.

The Basics of Flossing and Brushing Your Child’s Teeth

You should start practicing your child’s good oral hygiene when they are still a toddler. Once the baby has finished eating formula or breast milk, wipe their gums with a damp washcloth. While you cannot teach the infant the best oral hygiene practices, establishing a foundation and routine will make the transition effortless as you grow older.

You could use a finger brush when the baby starts weaning and teething. Rub the brush around your infant’s emerging teeth and gums.

You should schedule the infant’s initial dental appointment with a skilled pediatric dentist once they turn one. It will help the minor build relationships with the doctor and get accustomed to the dentist’s office. The dental professional will also ensure the child’s oral health is healthy, keep track of gum and tooth development, and partner with you in teaching the infant oral hygiene.

Tips for Teaching an Infant Proper Oral Hygiene Practices

As the child ages, you should increase your teaching endeavors so they understand the essence of dental health and how to realize it. Here are some nuggets for teaching your infant oral hygiene:

  • Brush your teeth along with the minor.
  • Allow the child to brush independently, but supervise them until they are eight, when they can brush adequately. Having the child brush in front of a mirror will help them see what they are doing.
  • Utilize a timer or an app to aid your child in brushing for two minutes every session.
  • Explain to the minor what will occur when they fail to brush their teeth or brush incorrectly. Discuss the root causes of cavities and how to prevent them. However, avoid using terms like hurt or drill.
  • Purchase tasty toothpaste and children-themed toothbrushes to make brushing fun.

Contact a Skilled Dentist Near Me

While most people know they should floss and brush their teeth daily, they must understand why dental health is essential and comply with this advice. They believe they are okay, provided they do not experience pain or have symptoms of cavities. Good oral health is more than avoiding cavities. Your mouth’s condition is the window to overall health, and taking care of your gums and teeth can prevent severe oral health conditions and reduce the possibility of developing chronic conditions. Beach Dental Care Anaheim is dedicated to assisting Anaheim residents to avoid oral health issues by offering education and affordable dental services. We know the importance of a healthy smile and can review your dental hygiene habits, which you can perform at home to ensure your health remains top-notch. We invite you to call our office at 714-995-4000 and schedule an appointment with our team.