It is very crucial to know
that poor oral health can affect more than mouth; it can affect other areas of
your body as well. In fact there is research that shows the connection between
poor oral health and systemic disease such as diabetes in people of all ages
and respiratory diseases particularly among elderly people. Also there is new
research now pointing to possible connections between oral health and other
systemic conditions such as heart disease, premature and low birth weight
babies.
Good oral hygiene results
in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:
1. Your teeth are clean
and free of debris.
2. Gums are pink and do
not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss.
3. Bad breath is not a
constant problem.
Healthy teeth not only
enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak
properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being.
It is important to
maintain the health of your mouth and teeth throughout your lifetime. You may
ask me, how can I achieve this? Here are some useful tips that will guide you
towards keeping your teeth and gum healthy;
1. Brushing twice daily in
the morning preferably after breakfast and last thing at night after dinner
with a medium bristled brush and a fluoride containing toothpaste.
2. Eating a healthy
balanced diet and limiting Snacks between meals.
3. Have regular visits to
the dentist twice a year i.e. every 6months.
4. Think about quitting
smoking and I or using tobacco products.
5. Floss daily.
6. Making sure that your
children less than 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if
they live in a non-fluoridated area.
Your dentist or hygienist
can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of
your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.
Proper Brushing Technique
1. Tilt the brush at a 45o angle against the gum line and sweep
or roll the brush away from the gum line.
2. Gently brush the
outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth using short back-and- forth
strokes.
3. Gently brush your
tongue to remove bacteria to freshen breath.
Proper Flossing Technique
1. Use about 18o of floss, leaving an inch or two to
work with.
2. Gently follow the
curves of your teeth.
3. Be sure to clean
beneath the gum line, but avoid snapping the floss on the gums.
On a last note, it is
important to know that oral health is as important as general health. Remain
blessed.
Dr.
Ojo Abosola A.
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