Since very young, tooth brushing has been a necessary step before going to bed. Dentists, orthodontists, stomatologists and other dental professionals are there to ensure the best possible oral hygiene for us. So why is it so important to take care of your mouth and teeth?
Why clean your teeth?
Good oral hygiene is essential to avoid catching an infectious disease. However, brushing, flossing and regular mouthwashes do not prevent 100% of dental problems. That's why an annual visit to the dentist is important to make sure everything is okay.
Oral diseases
Oral diseases are problems that can affect all parts of the mouth: teeth, gums, bones, tongue, inner face of the cheeks, lips, etc... These diseases are quite numerous and not all of them are known to the general public. Here are some of the best known oral problems.
Cavities
Dental tartar
Halitosis (or bad breath)
Abscesses
Mouth ulcers
Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis)
Inflammations of dental tissues (periodontitis)
Tooth decay
A tooth decay is a disease caused by an infection. This infection attacks the tooth enamel first and then, over time, digs a cavity in the tooth itself.
If the decay is not treated quickly enough, the hole continues to grow and reaches the layer under the enamel called dentin. It is at this point that pain begins to be felt when the tooth comes in contact with hot, cold or sweet foods. Pain comes from the fact that teeth are filled with small nerves and when decay develops it forms a hole that exposes the nerve.
Then, if the cavity is still not treated, the next layer that is affected is the pulp of the tooth. This stage is known as tooth rage and finally, when the decay reaches the bone, ligament or gum, the cavity becomes a tooth abscess and is extremely painful.
How to avoid the development of oral problems
To reduce the risk of having a disease or dental problem it is necessary to clean your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque. Ideally, they should be brushed after each meal to remove food residue stuck in the teeth.
It is also important to floss every evening after washing your teeth. To go a step further, a 30-second mouthwash once a week will disinfect the mouth and tongue in every nook and cranny.
Finally, the tongue is the part of the mouth on which more than half of the oral bacteria are found. Therefore, a clean tongue is essential to reduce the risk of disease. Toothbrushes can also be used to clean the tongue, although it is better to have a brush with an integrated scraper on the back or a separate tongue scraper.
Oral Hygiene: bad breath explained
Bad breath, or halitosis, is having unpleasant smelling breath. People with halitosis usually don't notice it themselves because their sense of smell gets used to the bad smell very quickly and the nose therefore becomes insensitive.
Bad breath is often due to the presence of bacteria on the tongue or teeth; it is usually a minor problem that comes from the mouth itself but can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious problem (respiratory disease, kidney or liver failure, diabetes, reflux, metabolic problems).
However, most of the time, bad breath is caused by less serious problems:
Consumption of foods such as garlic, onion or certain spices.
A cavity or an oral infection (abscess, gum infection, periodontitis).
A cavity or an oral infection (abscess, gum infection, periodontitis).
A decrease in the quantity of saliva.
Alcohol consumption.
Smoking.
Too high hormone levels, for example during pregnancy.
Reducing bad breath
If bad breath is caused by the presence of bacteria on the plaque on the teeth, then it is advisable to use an antiseptic mouthwash that removes all the bacteria present in the mouth. Also, toothpastes containing antibacterial agents that help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth can be found on the market.$
In the case of an illness at the base of bad breath, it is recommended that you ask your dentist for advice on how to treat the pathology that causes halitosis.
There are also several natural tricks to get rid of bad breath. Check out the article « 8 Natural Tips for Fresh Breath » to learn more.
5 Tips for Healthy White Teeth
Our smile is our best asset. But our teeth are not immune to stains or other problems that can damage and yellow them. Discover several ways to whiten your teeth naturally.
Brush your teeth with lemon juice (maximum once a week).
Put a little baking soda on your toothbrush instead of toothpaste (maximum once a week).
Add 1 drop of tea tree essential oil on the toothpaste once a week.
Brush your teeth two to three times a day (after meals).
Eat an apple at the end of the meal if there is no opportunity to brush your teeth.
Avoid acidic foods (coffee, soft drinks, refined sugar or aspartame).