A beautiful smile attracts people around you. Crooked and darkened teeth, on the contrary, provoke disgust and dislike. However, not only the aesthetic aspect is important when it comes to teeth. Bad oral health is bad for the rest of the body. To avoid unpleasant consequences, regular hygiene is essential. Dentists recommend that parents teach children to take care of their teeth from an early age. It is better to do this not only by admonition, but also by example. It is important for everyone to know the basic rules of dental and oral care.
Consequences of neglecting hygiene
When a person eats, the acid-alkaline balance of the mouth changes. There are always bacteria on the mucous membranes, but when the pH changes, it creates favorable conditions for pathogens to multiply.
The bacteria combine with each other to form plaque on your teeth. They multiply particularly quickly in places where food particles are left. At subsequent meals, the germs receive additional portions of nutrients.
Their products contain acids which attack tooth enamel. Caries develops – the most common dental disease. It is accompanied by decay processes, and it spreads deep into the teeth. Carious cavities form as a result.
The soft bacterial plaque eventually becomes hard. Deposits form on the surface of the teeth and under the gums. The porous tartar makes an excellent “home” for bacteria. Here they can multiply freely and poison the surrounding tissues.
After a while stomatitis develops, gingivitis – inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. Inflammatory changes spreading deeper result in periodontitis (inflammation of the upper layers of bone and ligaments that hold the teeth together), festering, bleeding gums. Units become loose and may be lost.
Chronic pockets of infection damage the body, provoking pathologies of the nasopharynx and larynx. Living without teeth leads to GI diseases. Abnormalities of the digestive system badly affect the endocrine organs and metabolic processes, and the whole body suffers as a result.
Rules of oral hygiene
Hygiene products for the oral cavity is better to choose together with the dentist. The doctor will pick up a paste and brush in accordance with the state of the teeth and gums, will give recommendations regarding additional devices. To prevent the development of oral diseases, you need to follow a few recommendations:
- Brush and toothpaste twice a day (at least 2 minutes).
- Pay attention to the cheek and tongue surfaces during the procedure.
- Rinse your mouth after each meal (with a special cleanser or clean water).
- Remove food debris from between your teeth with floss (dental floss).
- Reduce sweets and acidic foods in your diet.
- When you can’t brush or rinse, chew gum (for 10 minutes after meals).
From the moment teeth appear, everyone should make preventive visits to the dentist. As part of the prevention, the doctor will prescribe a professional cleaning. The procedure is aimed at eliminating soft and hard deposits, as well as pigmented plaque. When performed regularly, it significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay.
Recommendations for children
You can instill oral hygiene in your child with beautiful miniature toothbrushes and flavored toothpastes. Choose products that are safe if accidentally swallowed. Keep your child company to make oral hygiene fun. Offer to compare the results of the work and be sure to praise the baby for his efforts.
What else can you do?
Dental health depends not only on hygiene. Food habits also have a huge impact on their condition. To keep your teeth healthy, you need to:
- Reduce consumption of simple sugars (sweets, flour products.
- Eat a varied diet (all categories of food should be on the menu).
- Eat a lot of vegetables and greens.
- Limit portions of coffee and tea.
- Take 3 to 4 hours between meals.
Keeping a healthy smile is not that difficult. Hygiene routines take up to 10 minutes a day. Good eating habits promote the health of the whole body, not just the teeth. So it makes sense to follow the listed recommendations, gradually implementing them in your life. By making a gentle effort on yourself, you can prevent many problems in the future.
