By Dr. Aastha Chandra

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03 Oct 2022

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ORAL HEALTH

Oral health is a key factor in maintaining overall wellness. Long-term good hygiene habits keep your pearly whites sparkling, bad breath in check and prevent more painful issues from surfacing in the first place.

Get hold of the right gear, such as:

A) Toothbrush:

• Choose a brush with a medium sized head.
• Soft bristles help avoid damage to the gums and enamel.
• Change the toothbrush when the bristles start to fray.

B) Toothpaste:

• Choose one containing abrasives and detergents to reduce plaque and surface stains.
• Select toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Suffering from sensitive teeth? Try a paste with desensitizing agents which help stop sensations like extreme heat or cold from reaching the tooth’s nerve.

C) Mouthwash:

• 30 seconds of an antibacterial rinse can kill the bacteria along the gum line that cause gingivitis.

D) Floss:

• For teeth with tight contacts, use a waxed floss which easily glides into small spaces.
• For teeth with open or wide contacts, use a tape style or regular non waxed floss
• Not a fan of the manual floss? Try using a water floss!

E) Whitening:

• The best way to whiten; visit your dentist for a professional treatment.
• For less intensive whitening, try a commercial whitening kit at home.
• Whitening toothpastes can help, but are not as effective or long-lasting.

You need to ensure healthy dental habits are part of your daily routine, such as:

A) Brushing:
• How often? We recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes per session.
• How? Move bristles in a small, circular motion to avoid damage to gums and enamel. Be sure to cover the front and the back, inside and the outside, up and down and the flat surfaces too.

B) Tongue Cleaning:
• How often? Should be done at least once a day.
• How? Brushing or scraping the tongue can help remove bacteria that cause bad breath.

C) Flossing:
• How often? Once a day.
• How? Floss before bed to remove a whole days worth of plaque, don’t forget the hard to reach spot behind the back molars.

D) Mouthwash:

• How often? A mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing or flossing ,so ask your dentist if you should add a mouthwash to your routine.

E) Fear of the Dentist?

• Make time to meet the Dentist before any treatment to discuss the procedure and fears.
• Instead of worrying about the pain, try to visualize a positive experience.

• During the procedure, keep a pleasant experience or place in mind to stay calm.
• Request your dentist to provide you with distracting tools during your treatment like listening to music or watching your favorite TV show.