Making sure that you practice good oral hygiene is very important for making sure that you have healthy teeth and gums. Plaque is the number one cause of cavities and gingivitis. People with gum disease are far more likely to develop heart disease or other medical conditions. Practicing good oral hygiene also helps protect you against many common dental problems. Tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis) are amongst the two most common problems that dentists see that can be prevented. Brushing your teeth properly is the best way to make sure that you don’t get cavities or gingivitis. Also making sure that you floss and use mouth wash regularly will help you fight off cavities and gingivitis. Plaque, which is a combination of bacteria and food, is the number one cause of cavities and gingivitis. If plaque is not removed it will harden and become tartar overtime.
Here are some ways to help fight off plaque and tartar. Brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably after every meal and at bedtime. Floss at least once per day. Schedule an appointment with a dentist for a routine cleaning and examination. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months. Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes regular brushing and may include soaking them in a cleansing solution.
Brushing:
Brushing your teeth is important to practicing good oral hygiene. Making sure that you are brushing your teeth properly is also very important. Although the majority of people brush their teeth, there are still things that you can do to better improve your brushing.
Flossing:
Many People don’t realize how important flossing is. For example if you are only brushing your teeth instead of flossing you are only cleaning about 60% of your teeth.