ORAL HYGIENE:
This is the practice of keeping one’s mouth clean and free of disease and other problems like bad breath by regular brushing of the teeth.
Tooth brushing is the act of scrubbing teeth with a tooth brush usually equipped with tooth paste.
Tooth brushing is the principal method of preventing many oral diseases and perhaps the most important activity an individual can practice to reduce plaque buildup.
General guidelines for adults suggests brushing at least twice a day with a fluoridated tooth brush.
Cleaning between the teeth is called interdental cleaning and it is as important as tooth brushing.
This is because a tooth brush cannot reach between the teeth and therefore only removes about 50% of plaque from the surface of the teeth.
There are special tools for interdental cleaning one of which is known as a dental floss
DENTAL FLOSSING
A dental floss is a cord of thin filaments used in interdental cleaning to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth or places a tooth brush cannot reach.
Tooth brushing alone cannot remove plaque from all surfaces of the tooth as 40% of the surfaces are interdental.
Flossing can remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth.
Dental professionals recommend that a person flosses at least once a day.
Patients need to be aware of the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth daily.
It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease and bad breath.
The most common types of dental disease are tooth decay (cavities), dental caries and gum disease including gingivitis and periodontitis.
SOURCES OF DENTAL DISEASES
Plaque
This is a sticky yellowish film consisting of a wide range of bacteria that attaches to the tooth surfaces and can be visible around the gum line.
Calculus
The longer plaque stays on the tooth surface, the harder and more attached to the tooth it becomes and that is when it is referred to as calculus
If it is not treated, the inflammation will lead to bone loss and will eventually lead to the affected teeth becoming loose.
Preventive care
Brushing
Flossing
Visiting the dentist at least once a month
Using mouthwash
Mouth wash
There are Three commonly used kinds of mouth wash and they include
Salline(salt water)
Essential oils and chlorhexidine.