Having a healthy mouth is all about controlling the oral environment, creating the right conditions for the teeth and gums. So that they remain free from harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause tooth decay, gum disease and a decline in total body health. What does it take to maintain a healthy oral environment?
- You have to clear the mouth of debris, like food particles and plaque.
- Clear the mouth of harmful bacteria that can proliferate and cause tooth decay and gum disease.
- Maintain an alkaline environment because harmful bacteria and microbes often thrive in acidic low oxygen states.
- Preserve the integrity of the gums to avoid infections like gingivitis and periodontal disease which lead to receding gums and tooth loss.
- Remove the sticky layer of biofilm that covers the tongue, teeth and throat with bad bacteria.
- And obviously you have to keep the teeth clean so that they remain free from plaque and other nasties that can erode enamel and cause decay
How do you achieve all of this?
You need right dental tools. There are many different kinds of flossing tools. You can choose the one you like. Dental floss, floss picks, water flosser or interdental brushes. And you need to buy a toothbrush with soft bristles, not hard one. Also, an electric toothbrush is suggested. An effective oral hygiene protocol isn’t just about using the right tools though. Itโs about using the right technique and doing things in the proper order.
The first step is to floss your teeth.
Flossing will dislodge debris and bacteria, especially from those places that the toothbrush can’t reach and most importantly will break through biofilm. Biofilm is essentially a shield for plaque kind of like moss on a rock. So breaking through it improves the effectiveness of brushing.
When flossing, using the right technique is very important. Using the wrong technique can cause trauma to the gums. Instead of going in and out as most people do, you want to gently slide the floss between the teeth, giving them a good rub. Spending about five seconds on each side of the tooth. Making sure you’ve broken the biofilm and dislodged debris. You want to avoid going straight up and down and smashing the floss into your gums.
After flossing it’s time to move on to step two brushing the teeth and gums.
This is to remove plaque from the teeth which in turn protects enamel and prevents decay. When we think of brushing we usually concentrate only on the teeth. But it is equally important to get in and around the gum gutters to remove plaque at the base of the teeth. This is to prevent bacterial and parasitic infection of the gums which can cause gum disease. To brush your teeth and gums you’ll need to use the fluoride toothpaste.
When brushing the teeth, a simple back and forth motion works. However, when brushing the gums you want to use a gentle circular motion and have the brush tilted on a 45 degree angle. This ensures the bristles reach the gum gutters and sweep out the debris. In order to brush your teeth and gums properly, you want to spend about one minute on each quadrant of your mouth. Starting on one side and working your way to the other.
Always ensure your teeth feel clean and smooth before moving on to the next quadrant.
If they still have that bury feeling they need more work. Because we are brushing both the teeth and gums. Proper brushing will take longer than the recommended two minutes. So don’t be alarmed if this process takes more time than usual. That means you’re doing it right. Once you’ve finished brushing, you will need to spit and remember not to rinse with water after. The longer you leave the residue sitting in your mouth, the more effective it will be.
Youโve now finished taking care of your teeth and have cleared the mouth of bacteria and debris.
You now know how to clean your mouth properly and maintain oral health. First floss, then brush your teeth and gums using the fluoride toothpaste. Youโll need to complete this process twice per day. Remembering not to eat or drink for at least one hour after completing the process in the morning. And at night never to eat after this and to leave at least one hour before drinking water.
Hope this will help you.
