A beautiful smile is maintained by following certain rules of oral hygiene. Adopting correct measures for cleaning the oral cavity primarily means healthy teeth without food debris, without inflamed gums, without cavities, and without bad breath.
The rules for cleaning teeth and gums are simple, but each operation must be thoroughly performed to achieve the desired results. The most important rules for oral hygiene that prevent the formation of bacterial plaque and tartar are those of prevention, control and professional cleaning. These should be complemented by other measures, such as fluoride and vitamin treatments, as well as adopting a correct diet plan.
Oral hygiene, preventative measures
The first and most important measure for maintaining oral health is brushing your teeth.
Regular, correctly performed tooth brushing is effective at removing food debris and prevents the formation of bacterial plaque, thus minimising the chances of developing tooth decay, gum inflammation, and periodontal disease.
A correctly performed toothbrushing should last at least two minutes. The movements to remove food debris from the tooth surfaces should be vertical, slightly rotating towards the gums. Exterior surfaces should be brushed before interior ones, and special attention should also be given to the occlusal surfaces, cheeks, and tongue. Cleaning the soft tissues drastically reduces the number of bacterial colonies in the oral cavity, which leads to the elimination of bad breath.
To carry out effective brushing, special attention must be paid to seemingly unimportant details such as the choice of toothbrush and toothpaste. The toothbrush must be the right size for the user; using one that is too large will not ensure proper cleaning but can cause damage to soft tissues. Furthermore, the bristles of a suitable toothbrush should not be too hard. Another important aspect in maintaining correct oral hygiene is the regular replacement of the toothbrush; it should be changed after three months of use or after a bacterial infection.
Choosing the right toothpaste is another detail that ensures proper hygiene.
It should be noted that toothpaste intended for children cannot contain large amounts of fluoride. That intended for adults is provided with moderate amounts of fluoride, which increase tooth resistance.
Another preventive measure that complements brushing is the use of dental floss. This plays an important role in maintaining oral hygiene, as it removes food debris and biofilm from the interdental spaces.
It is important to use the correct technique, so cleaning becomes truly effective.
Dental floss should easily penetrate under the gum, this way food debris is removed from the base of the teeth and tartar build-up is prevented.
Using mouthwash is another solution that helps maintain oral hygiene.
Thorough rinsing of the oral cavity with mouthwash removes food debris and bad breath. Mouthwash containing alcohol also acts as a disinfectant, thus helping to stop the development of bacterial colonies.
Oral hygiene, professional control measures
The measures mentioned previously help maintain oral health, but are not sufficient to prevent the appearance of tartar and cavities. Periodic check-ups and specific preventive treatments are essential to benefit from optimal health.
During routine check-ups at the dental surgery, tartar removal treatments are carried out, affecting even the most diligent patients. The front teeth on the lower jaw are prone to tartar, regardless of how meticulously brushing is performed. This is due to saliva that is rich in mineral salts, produced by the sublingual glands.
Tooth fluoridation treatments are also carried out at the dentist’s surgery. Fluoride supplements strengthen the teeth by 50–80%, reduce tooth sensitivity and help to remineralise tooth enamel.
Descaling and fluoridation treatments must be supplemented with vitamin administration. Vitamin A and vitamin E support the proper functioning of salivary glands and also help maintain oral hygiene.
Oral hygiene, dietary measures
Proper oral hygiene is maintained only with a correct diet. Sugar, hard foods, and fizzy drinks are the biggest enemies of teeth. This promotes the development of bacteria in the oral cavity, due to the acceleration of the fermentation process, and at the same time sensitises tooth enamel. Foods high in sugar must be excluded from the daily diet to maintain oral health.
On the opposite end are foods rich in antioxidants that prevent the formation of plaque in the oral cavity. Fibre-rich foods, cheese, cow's milk, green tea, and black tea are recommended by specialists as they support oral health.