Oral Hygiene

How do you maintain good oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene habits are extremely important for your oral health. Fortunately, they’re easy to follow. To maintain good oral health, observe oral hygiene practices, including:

• Floss daily
• Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste
• Use mouthwash to rinse away remaining food particles after brushing and flossing
• Replace your toothbrush as soon as the bristles are worn or splayed (usually every 3-4 months)

Also, avoid tobacco use and sugary foods and drinks.

In addition to all of this, remember to schedule regular checkups and cleanings with the team at Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center. Even if you don’t have natural teeth, you should see an oral health care professional at least once a year.

Also, did you know that certain medications can cause dry mouth and increase your risk for infection? If you can’t get a substitute medication, make sure to drink plenty of water to wash away foods and neutralize the acid.

Why does oral hygiene matter?

Just like any other part of your body, to stay healthy, functional, and attractive, your mouth requires good hygiene practices on your part. Oral hygiene doesn’t just affect your oral health, though.

Think of it like this: your mouth is the entryway to both your digestive and respiratory tracts. A lot of bacteria come through this entryway, but usually, it doesn’t harm you because you keep it at bay with good oral hygiene. 

If you’re not doing this, the bacteria can get in and cause oral infections, like tooth decay and gum disease. 

What diseases can poor oral hygiene lead to?

Studies have linked gum disease to an increase in the likelihood of conditions like:

• Pneumonia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Endocarditis
• Premature birth and low birth weight

In turn, certain co-occurring conditions, like diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis, can lower your body’s ability to fight off infection and increase your risk for gum disease. So, another component of oral hygiene is taking care of your body and managing any diseases you have.

Do you need to schedule a checkup, cleaning, or consultation with the team at Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center to talk about your oral health and hygiene? Take care of your present and future by calling the nearest office or requesting an appointment online today.