Dental Hygiene and Gum Health

Dental hygiene is the practice of keeping one’s teeth and supporting tissues like the gums, tongue, and cheeks clean and free from diseases and other issues by regular brushing of the teeth and cleaning between them.

It is important that oral hygiene is practised regularly to prevent dental disease, gum disease, and bad breath.

The most common types of dental disease are tooth decay and gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis.

General guidelines suggest brushing two times a day: after breakfast and before going to bed, but ideally, the mouth should be cleaned 30 minutes after every meal.

Cleaning between the teeth is as important as brushing your teeth.

A toothbrush cannot reach the areas between the teeth and only removes about 50% of plaque from the surface of your teeth.

The tools needed to clean between the teeth include floss, flossettes, and interdental brushes.

Dental Hygiene Tips

Pay a visit. Visiting your Yeronga dentist helps you catch problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, dental trauma, or oral cancer at an early stage when they’re treatable, not to mention more affordable to take care of.

Can the soda. Fizzy is fun but also part of the reason soda is not good for your teeth.

Two ingredients – phosphoric acid and citric acid – give soda its “bite” but also erode the surface of your teeth.

Although the occasional soda won’t harm you, a can or more a day softens your tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to cavities.

Drink plenty of water instead – add flavour with sliced lemons, crushed berries, or mint leaves.

Don’t sugarcoat it. Sugar is a major culprit in tooth decay. It adds bacteria and acidity in your mouth, causing plaque to form and wear away your tooth enamel and gums.

To avoid facing tooth decay and gum disease, try to cut down on sweets and brush and floss after every meal or snack.

Quit smoking. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes not only stain your teeth, but they also wear away your gums.

Smoking creates a good environment for bacteria and plaque to thrive on your teeth and along the gum line.

This harms tissue, degrades the bone that supports teeth, and eventually increases your risk of tooth loss. Even worse, tobacco chemicals can lead to oral cancer.

Use the right toothbrush. You want a brush with soft bristles. With the right technique, it should last two to three months.

It’s ready to be replaced when you notice bent bristles, but don’t wait that long. Even a straight bristle tip can become blunted instead of rounded and cause injury to the teeth and gums.

Practice proper technique. Although you probably know you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, if you’re like most people, you don’t give much thought to how to do it.

Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, pointed toward the gum line, and use gentle, short, circular motions.

Brush each tooth 10 to 15 times, but don’t overdo it. Overly aggressive brushing can damage teeth and erode your gum line.

Finesse flossing. It’s simple: Flossing fosters healthier teeth and gums. But like brushing, there’s a right and wrong way because flaws in your flossing can cause friction and damage the gum line.

Wrap about a foot of floss around your index fingers, keeping about two inches between your fingers to work with.

Unroll a fresh section of floss for each tooth, and keep the floss tight against the tooth to break up plaque while leaving your gums in good shape.

Dental Hygiene and Gum Health in Yeronga

Ria Family Dental in Yeronga offers comprehensive care for your short and long-term dental care needs.

We provide an honest, judgment-free environment in which we practice convenient, comfortable, and conservative care designed to maximise your oral health and smile!

Dental Hygiene and Gum Health in Yeronga

#1. Book online now

#2. Call 0451 359 356

#3. Visit us at 451 Fairfield Rd in Yeronga