Dental and oral health has a significant impact on overall body health. Therefore, it is important to know how to clean your teeth and mouth properly.
Maintaining good dental and oral health can be done by brushing your teeth twice a day and maintaining a healthy lifestyle from the food and drinks you consume. Besides being able to maintain healthy teeth and gums, this good habit can also prevent the body from various diseases.
Various Ways to Maintain Dental and Oral Health
The following are some ways you can do to maintain healthy teeth and mouth:
1. Choice of the right toothbrush
Choosing the right toothbrush is the first step in maintaining the health of your teeth and mouth. Choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles that are comfortable to use. Also, make sure the hairs on the toothbrush you choose have small rounded ends. If you have used it for three months, you should replace the toothbrush.
Not only pay attention to the shape of the toothbrush. How to brush your teeth also determines the health of your teeth and mouth. You are advised to brush your teeth in a circular motion and not put too much pressure on your teeth.
In addition, you are also advised to spend 2 minutes brushing your teeth and tongue thoroughly.
2. Do the flossing
Flossing or cleaning your teeth using dental floss needs to be done once a day. Flossing is done to clean dirt that cannot be reached by a toothbrush.
The way to use dental floss is to wrap one end of the thread on the index finger of the right hand and the other end of the thread on the index finger of the left hand. Then, pinch both ends of the thread with your index finger and thumb. Keep the floss taut and clean between the teeth one by one.
After that, you can use mouthwash with salt water, for example, bamboo salt, to clean your teeth and mouth.
3. Reduce consumption of sweet drinks and foods
Maintaining healthy teeth and mouth can also be done by limiting the consumption of sweet drinks and foods, such as energy drinks, carbonated drinks, biscuits, bread, and cakes. This is because drinks and sweet foods that are consumed in excess can cause cavities.
4. Stop smoking
The content of nicotine and tar in cigarettes can cause tooth discoloration. Another disadvantage, if you smoke, is that your teeth become brittle and break easily, and this increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Therefore, stop smoking to maintain the health of your teeth and mouth.
5. Go to the dentist regularly
The daily habits that you do above are important for maintaining overall dental and oral health. However, it is recommended that you check your dental and oral health with the dentist every six months. This is to detect early if there are problems with the teeth, gums, or oral cavity.
Maintaining healthy teeth and mouth is just as important as maintaining the health of other body parts. Therefore, you must also meet your intake of nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water.
If you experience complaints, such as bleeding gums, receding gums, or loose teeth by themselves, pain when chewing, and bad breath that doesn't improve, consult your doctor immediately for proper examination and treatment.