If you would like to be able to smile with confidence, eat what you like and avoid painful and costly dental procedures well into your twilight years, then the importance of good oral hygiene cannot be exaggerated.

All too often we neglect our oral health by forgetting to follow a consistent dental hygiene routine at home and by putting off dentist check-ups. For this reason around two-thirds of adults in the United States develop gum disease and many more suffer from cavities or other dental problems.

You do not have to become a statistic. It is possible to protect your gum line and teeth from infection and cavities. All it takes is a little commitment to looking after your oral health and you can enjoy a dazzling smile and a healthy mouth all your adult life.

What constitutes good oral hygiene?

There are a few key steps that you need to follow in order to maintain good oral hygiene and health:

Brushing – you need to brush your teeth at least twice each day to reduce the plaque buildup and bacteria that grow on your teeth and gums.  It is even more effective if you can manage to brush your teeth after every meal.

The reason that brushing is an essential step is that after you eat bacteria flourish in your mouth. These bacteria release toxins, which react with your saliva and produce plaque. Plaque is a yellowy, sticky substance that clings to your teeth and gums and leads to infection.

How to do it: In order to remove the maximum amount of bacteria and plaque from your mouth with each brushing, most dentists say that one ought to use an electric toothbrush (Oral-B for example) with swirling heads. If you are going to use a manual toothbrush, then it should have soft bristles as hard bristles can do harm to your gum tissue.

Place your bristles at a 45 degree angle from your teeth and brush away from the gums. Each brushing session should take about two minutes to complete. You start on the outside teeth, then move to the insides of the teeth and then brush on top of the teeth.

Flossing – Flossing is a very important part of your home dental hygiene routine. It is essential because little food particles often become lodged between your teeth. When these food particles are not removed, they release toxins that can cause the infection that leads to gum disease.

Some of the food particles are removed when you brush your teeth, but flossing can remove those that are in hard to reach places.

How to do it: Many people decide not to floss regularly because they find that it makes their gums bleed. If this is the case, then you are probably using the wrong technique.

First you need to choose an appropriate product. If you have sensitive gums, then it is a good idea to use a dental tape rather than traditional floss. Dental tape is a little wider than floss and is  gentler on the gum tissue.

Take a 30 centimetre piece of the dental floss or tape and wrap one end around one of your index fingers and the other end around your other index finger about seven centimetres apart.

Start at the back of the bottom row of teeth. Slide the floss between the two teeth and gently guide it up and down against the tooth. Often people saw the floss back and forth across the gum tissue, which is certain to cause bleeding and discomfort. Using the correct technique and the correct product, you are unlikely to experience any problems with flossing.

Mouthwash – Using a mouthwash is the third stage of a good home dental hygiene routine. By using a mouthwash, you can flush away the remaining bacteria and plaque inside the mouth after brushing and flossing.

Not all mouthwashes are created equal however. You should look for a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol as this can damage gum tissue and cause dryness of the mouth, which can actually encourage bacterial growth.

These days there are also commercially available natural mouthwash products. These can be very effective and yet, make use of natural ingredients that will not cause the damage that some chemically-laden products can. Look  for products that contain all-natural herbal ingredients.

Various herbal ingredients such as spearmint, peppermint, and almond oil may be effective in warding off disease and keeping your mouth fresh.

Dental Hygiene Habits

In addition to following and effective oral hygiene routine at home, there are a few things to do in order to ensure the health of your gums and teeth:

• Dental check-ups – visit your dentist every six months for a thorough clean that will remove plaque in hard to reach places and tartar.
• Look after your diet – bacteria love sugar so be sure to reduce the amount of sugary foods that you consume. You can also protect your teeth and gums by minimising the amount of processed food that you consume and maximising the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that you consume.
• Stay hydrated – make sure that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water a day in order to stay hydrated as well as to flush away bacteria that can settle in your gums and on your teeth throughout the day.
• Reduce stress – stress is a major cause of illness. It can affect every aspect of your health from that of your teeth and gums to your digestion, immunity to viruses and mental health. Your entire well-being will be affected positively if you can learn to control stress effectively.

By consulting with your dentist and understanding the importance of following good oral hygiene tips, you will be able to avoid a lot of dental decay as you age. This directly translates into positive outcomes for your enjoyment of life as you get older. You can take action today by implementing a natural chemical-free solution.

Unfortunately, most people really take their oral health for granted and do not stay on top of caring for their teeth and gums as vigilantly as they should. Poor oral hygiene and disease are closely linked together, so if you have been guilty of putting your dental care routine on the back burner every now and again, then you need to step up your game.

Most commonly poor oral hygiene is linked to disease of the teeth and gums. This may come along in the form of dental cavities, abscesses or gum disease. In order to avoid developing oral health problems, it is essential that you follow a few key steps.

Daily Oral Health Care

One of the most effective ways to maintain good oral health is by following a good dental hygiene routine daily.

This should include:

• Brushing your teeth for around two minutes after every meal
• Flossing your teeth at least once a day to remove the food particles that become stuck there
• Using a mouth rinse to flush away the left over bacteria, plaque and food particles.

As well as following this routine, you should pay particular attention to the products that you are using.

Most dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush with oscillating head as they are able to remove plaque and bacteria more efficiently. If you use a manual toothbrush, then be sure to choose one that has soft bristles. Hard bristles can damage sensitive gum tissue.

Dental tape is often preferred to dental floss, since the tape is a bit wider and tends to be gentler on the gums. The technique that you use is also important. Instead of pulling the floss from side to side along the gum tissue, you should shimmy it up and down along the surface of the tooth.

When choosing mouthwash, always select products that are alcohol free. Alcohol is an antiseptic, which is why it is often included oral mouth rinses, but it can affect the natural protection offered by your saliva and lead to bacteria breeding in your mouth more easily.

Always avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate. This is a chemical compound that is used in many cleaning, hygiene and beauty products as a foaming agent. However, it can also cause damage to your teeth and gums and has been linked to making certain people more susceptible to oral health problems.

Advantages of Natural Dental Products

Many commercial dental health products available at your supermarket or pharmacy contain chemicals that can actually damage your teeth or gums. Instead of using such products many people are now opting to use natural products to maintain their oral health.

Botanical oils that include spearmint, peppermint, and almond can be quite effective in killing and controlling bacteria. It does not contain harmful chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate or alcohol.

Natural ingredients are preferred since it is hard to gauge the long-term risks of synthetic products. Natural ingredients are able to eradicate bacteria and plaque and leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh.

Overall Dental Care Practices

As well as brushing, flossing and rinsing daily, there are certain practices that you can incorporate in order to enjoy better dental health and overall well-being:

• Dentist visits – you should visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and overall clean. They will remove plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, which can cause disease and decay. They can also spot the early warning signs of oral health conditions before you are likely to notice them.
• Diet – try to cut down on processed foods and those that are high in sugar. Processed foods contain limited nutrition for your body. Therefore if you are eating many processed foods in place of fresh foods, then you will not receive all the vitamins and minerals that are needed for a healthy body. The bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities also feed on sugars, so reducing your sugar intake is also very important.
• Stress – stress places a lot of pressure on your body systems, particularly your immune system. When you experience high levels of stress, you are much more likely to develop gum disease and other health conditions. Finding effective ways to deal with and dissipate the stress in your life will result in elevated health and well-being.
• Smoking – smoking is very damaging to your oral health. It encourages bacterial growth, which leads to plaque and tartar taking hold of the teeth and gums and infection of the gum tissue. Smoking also limits your circulation, which affects the removal of toxins from your system. This means that when you do develop infections in your gum tissue, or elsewhere in your body, your body is less able to fight them off. The risks of smoking are not worth any perceived gain, socially or physically.

Poor oral hygiene has been directly linked to poor health of the teeth and gums. However, not looking after your oral health has also been linked to other health conditions. Some studies have shown a connection between poor oral health and heart disease.

As yet, it is not clear whether there is a direct causal effect or whether it is coincidental. It may be that the bacteria that cause plaque on the teeth and gums, may also damage your heart health. It is also possible that there is a coincidental effect – as in, those people who do not look after their teeth and gums may also neglect other areas of their health too.

Studies into the connection between oral hygiene and disease are on-going. While there may not yet be concrete proof of poor overall health and dental hygiene, it certainly pays to look after your teeth and gums. When you enjoy good oral health, you have a great smile, improved self-confidence and a better sense of well-being.

Find out more about how reduce your exposure to chronic disease by means of a natural oral care solution. Click below in order to discover a successful steps to a healthier you, with a smile!

Flossing is an essential step in your home oral health routine because brushing alone is not enough to remove all bacteria and plaque. When you floss, you remove food particles, plaque and bacteria that get stuck between your teeth each time you eat. Knowing how to floss properly means you can remove the maximum amount of bacteria each time leading to healthier teeth and gums.

What happens when food gets stuck between teeth?

If the bacteria and plaque are not removed regularly between your teeth and in hard to reach places, then you could develop a whole range of oral health problems. Some of these include:

• Halitosis – bad breath
• Tooth decay
• Cavities
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Tooth loss
• Abscesses

When food particles get stuck between your teeth, they release toxins, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. The food particles also produce lots of bacteria, which could cause infection. When the bacteria mix with your saliva, this chemical reaction produces plaque. This is a sticky, yellowish substance which can also cause tooth decay or gum disease.

Infection caused by poor oral hygiene is actually far more common than you probably realize. In fact, it affects up to 90 per cent of the adult population. However, you need not become the victim of oral infections. To prevent it from occurring, you merely have to follow a consistent and effective oral health routine at home.

Flossing is a key part of an effective home dental hygiene routine and should be done daily. As well as going through the motions, it is necessary that you floss properly employing the right technique and using the best available products.

Using the correct flossing technique

So you might be thinking that flossing correctly is just about slipping the floss between your teeth and shifting it back and forth a couple of time before moving onto the next space between the pearly whites.  If you want to apply the correct flossing technique to get rid of as much “gunk” as you can in each session, then there are a few tips to be aware of:

1. Start by taking a piece of floss that is 20-30 centimetres long and wind one end of the floss around your index finger and grasp it with your thumb.
2. Leave about five centimetres from your index finger and wind the floss around the other index finger.
3. Start at the back molars of the upper teeth and gently guide the floss into place between the teeth with a zigzagging type action.
4. Pull the floss forwards with your index fingers so that the floss forms a “c” shape around the tooth.
5. Gently move the floss up and down against the tooth several times.
6. Once you have finished with one tooth, rewind the floss around your fingers so that a clean section of floss is ready to be used.
7. Continue working the upper teeth from back to front and then do the same with the lower teeth.

Best way to floss around dental work

If you have braces or other dental work, then you need to be a little bit careful about your flossing technique. With care and the right method, you will not get floss stuck between braces, on wires or potentially dislodge bridges or prosthetics.

Some people with braces think that you can’t floss, but you can. In fact, people with dental work need to floss even more than others since it is more likely that you will have food stuck in and around your teeth.

1. Be patient – flossing with dental work will take longer than for other people.
2. Use waxed floss – you may even be able to find floss that is specially designed for people with dental work.
3. Thread the floss under the wire in between teeth and then move it gently up and down around the tooth.
4. Select a clean piece of floss and move onto the next tooth.

Knowing how to floss properly is essential as using the wrong technique can actually damage the sensitive gum tissue.  By following this step of your dental routine once a day and then rinsing with mouthwash (without harsh chemicals!), you are ensuring that the chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease are much reduced. In additional to proper flossing, it is vital to know how to brush your teeth properly.

So you want one of those sparkling tooth paste commercial smiles? To get a bright, white smile and the benefits of good oral health, you need to make your home dental routine a priority. If you know how to brush your teeth properly and use appropriate dental products, there is no need for potentially damaging teeth bleaching procedures.

Many of us fumble along in our daily dental routines perhaps brushing, flossing and rinsing consistently some weeks and a little haphazardly at other times. We all know that we should be brushing daily in order to remove the bacteria and plaque that damage our oral health, but we may fall short by either neglecting to look after it consistently or by using the wrong techniques.

If you use the right technique to remove bacteria from your teeth and gums and implement your dental hygiene routine consistently, then you will enjoy a high standard of oral health. You will therefore be able to avoid many dental problems and the discomfort and expense that often accompany them.

3 Simple steps to good dental hygiene

There are three simple steps that need to be followed in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums:

• Brushing
• Flossing
• Using a mouthwash

By including these three steps in your daily routine, you will remove the maximum amount of bacteria and plaque and prevent gum disease, cavities and other oral health problems.

Why brushing is necessary

Brushing your teeth removes a lot of the bacteria and plaque that settle on your teeth and gums throughout the day.  Every time you eat, sugar and starch residue are left in the mouth. Bacteria flourish when there are sugars present, because it is their favourite food and the acids produced by starches in the mouth attack the tooth enamel.

Ideally, you will brush your teeth after each meal, but at least twice daily is necessary for good dental health. When you brush your teeth you are removing the bacteria that cause tooth decay, bad breath, tooth loss and gum disease – which has been linked to stroke and heart disease.

How to clean your teeth effectively

The first thing to bear in mind is that you need to brush your teeth for around two minutes in order to get rid of the most bacteria possible. Very few of us could say that we brush our teeth for that long each time. If you need to, you might like to use a stopwatch or monitor the time until you develop a natural feel for how long two minutes feels like when brushing.

1. Start by brushing the outer part of your upper teeth
2. Next, move to the outer part of the lower teeth
3. Third, clean the inner surface of the upper teeth
4. Now, the inner part of the lower teeth
5. Finally the surface of the teeth where you chew.

Many people don’t realize that there is a lot of bacteria on the tongue that can also cause disease. Therefore, it is a good idea to brush your tongue as well.

When you are brushing the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth, hold your brush on a 45 degree angle to the gum line. Use short strokes that sweep away from the gum line. As you brush the top of the teeth use short and gentle back and forth strokes.

As you brush your teeth make sure that you are extra attentive towards the back teeth as well as any areas that have fillings and crowns.

While shopping for a toothbrush make sure that you choose one that has soft bristles and a small head. Soft bristles are very effective at removing bacteria and plaque, but they are less likely to damage sensitive gum tissue. A small-head toothbrush makes it easier to reach all your teeth.

Once you have brushed thoroughly, use some floss to get rid of leftover food particles that are stuck between teeth. Follow up with a non-alcohol based mouthwash to flush away any leftover bacteria.

Now that you know how to brush your teeth properly, you can be sure that you are protecting your mouth from infection and tooth decay.

In order to have great dental hygiene it is very important to understand that proper dental care must incorporate a holistic approach that includes not only cleaning, but supplementation, diet, and overall health maintenance. You need to consider both external and internal support for healthy gums and teeth. The benefits are far-reaching, beyond your mouth. 

Healthy Gums and Teeth

Usually there are certain signs of a healthy mouth. Healthy gums will be a pink color and will have a knife-like shape that contours between the teeth. The teeth should be relatively white without heavy deposits of plaque and tartar. Furthermore, a person with good dental health will not have chronic bad breath, which is also called halitosis.

Signs of Poor Oral health

• Cavities – holes in the teeth caused by bacteria.

• Bad breath – This is often a sign of the presence of bacteria that are at work in your gum and teeth. It is a common sign of periodontal gum disease at any stage.

• Gingivitis – the first stage of gum disease wherein there is red, swollen and tender inflamed gums. Often there is bleeding after brushing or flossing.

• Periodontitis – this is an advanced stage of periodontal disease wherein the supporting bone structure is corroded away and receding gums are present. Periodontal pockets are usually visible between the teeth. Often dental surgery is required.

• Loose or missing teeth – This is often present during the periodontitis stage, but it is a common occurrence, together with the present of periodontal pockets.  Many people often need dentures as a result of a life of poor dental hygiene.

The Causes of Poor Oral Health

At times it is difficult to determine the root cause of the disease of the mouth. Often there is a combination of things that one must factor in to the overall oral care plan. Addressing each one at a time will slowly enable one to deal with contributing factors.

Nutrition: You eating habits have a huge impact on your overall health. Foods and drinks that are sugary, acidic and starchy tend to have a negative affect

Smoking: Tobacco use, including chewing, stains the teeth. However, it has been suggested that the nicotine may inhibit blood flow to gingival tissue. Furthermore, there is risk of oral cancer from the prolonged use of tobacco.

Drug Use: Prescription drugs, as well as illegal drugs, can have a gradual impact on your dental health. Usually they lead to a decrease in protective saliva, which in term leads to tooth decay and gum erosion. Some drugs are acidic and can wear away at the tooth enamel.

Heredity: For a few people, there may be hereditary conditions that make one vulnerable to dental challenges. It is important to be aware of diseases and dispositions that may be present in your family. if your parents or a sibling have periodontal disease, inquire more.

Diabetes: This disease slows blood flow, therefore, infections may be more difficult to control. Also more glucose in the saliva may contribute to the problem. White blood cells are impaired from fighting bacteria present in the mouth. Let your dentist know if you have diabetes.

Hormones: According to the American Dental Association (ADA), fluctuations in hormonal levels in women can lead to a great susceptibility of gingivitis. Therefore, women at puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause should take this into consideration.

Injury: At times there is an external force that has causes a cut or loose tooth. One who is active in sports may experience an injury that, if unchecked, may develop into a more serious problem. For example, contact sports may lead to an uneven jaw or a loose tooth. This is why protective gear is so important. Sometimes food can actually cause injury or infection. If one bites into a corn chip the wrong way it can pierce into the gum tissue.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): This condition is marked by the absence of enough saliva in the mouth. Saliva is important in controlling and regulating bacteria and the toxins that they produce. When saliva is not present, toxins from bacteria continue to destroy gum tissue, teeth, and support bone structure. Smoking, diet, hormones, and drugs are all factors that may contribute to dry mouth.

Compromised Immune System: A low immune response means that your body is not able to keep up with the demands on it, particularly with controlling bacteria that are present in your teeth and gum line. People with AIDS or those undergoing cancer treatments should give attention to their dental health. For those who are otherwise healthy, you should not underestimate the power of regenerative sleep.

Bacteria: Bacteria are naturally present in the mouth. However, for a number of reasons (any of the above and more) it may not be properly controlled. The bacteria produce toxins that literally eat away at bone and gum tissue. Bacteria are usually the root cause of chronic bad breath.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits:  You need to control the bacteria and keep your mouth debris free, particularly in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. A lack of brushing and flossing properly, combined with no visits to the dentist will only contribute to your problems.

Proper Dental Hygiene

Every day you need to develop good habits that will mitigate the effects of bacteria and infection in your mouth. The following are common sense practices that you should follow on a daily basis.

Brush your teeth: Brushing your teeth is important after every meal; however, “how” you do it is equally important. You should brush in a circular up-and-down motion using some type of toothpaste or cleaning solution. Too much can be counterproductive and destructive. If you brush too hard or too much you can actually wear away gum tissue and the enamel of the teeth.

Type of toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled brush. Brushing with a medium or hard-bristled brush can be too much for your teeth enamel and gum line. An ultrasonic toothbrush is another popular option. These are particularly helpful if you have a disability.

Floss daily: Most people floss the teeth. It is important to floss at least once per day, preferably at the end of the day. Flossing regularly helps to scrape away plaque and tartar, and food particles lodged in the crevices between teeth. Ask your hygienist or dentist to show you how to floss properly. You need to insert the floss between the gum line until it reaches the root and then you need to scrap away plaque in a c-shaped motion. Toothpicks and certain dental picks and brushes can be used to do the same thing.

Clean your tongue: The tongue hosts bacteria and yeast. Be sure to use a scraper to scrape away the crud from your tongue. It can be a source of bad breath.

Use Safe Dental Hygiene Products

Mouthwash: Be careful with mouthwash, since most contain chemicals that can be harsh to already sensitive gum tissue. A healthy and safe alternative to store-bought mouthwash might be clean water mixed with a few drops of essential oils such as spearmint and peppermint, which have antibacterial properties. You want to use something that kills bacteria while not further disruption an already sensitive environment.

Chewing Gum: Chewing gum may help saliva to flow and may help clear away debris; however, caution must be exercised here as well. Usually high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners are used to enhance the flavor. The negative effects of these outweigh the benefits. There may be some exceptions available on the market.

Toothpaste: Use toothpaste that will help prevent gingivitis by controlling bacteria growth while at the same time allowing the body to restore gum tissue. Many toothpaste products include chemical ingredients that may counterproductive for an already sensitive mouth environment.

Warning! Give attention to toothpaste ingredients: The following are ingredients that have been questioned for their safety at one time or another: hydrated Silica, FD&C Blue Dye # 1 & 2, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Fluoride, and Triclosan.  Look for a dental hygiene product that does not contain these ingredients. Some people may be more sensitive than others to these ingredients or even natural ingredients.

A natural liquid toothpaste that contains oils of spearmint, peppermint, and almond may be an effective solution. This combination is very effective at the one thing you must have in a successful receding gums treatment – it kills and controls bacteria.  In fact, many cultures for many years have used essential oils for tooth decay and gum disease.

Beneficial Supplements

It is important to realize that your body might new internal support to fight bacteria and underlying health vulnerabilities. Prevention is always better than treatment. Make sure to speak with your dentist about any supplements that you might take on a daily basis. As a general rule, think A,B, Cs.

• Flavonoids (bioflavonoids) – These are antioxidants, such as quercetin and rutin, that are particularly useful against inflammation and the disease process. Moreover, Vitamin C is much more potent when taken in combination with Vitamin C. There is a synergistic effect.
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C – It is well known that vitamin C is helpful to boost the immune system. This naturally helps the body to combat and control bacteria in the mouth. However, it also produces collagen, which is found in ligaments, gum tissue, and in fibrous protein that is in the teeth and support bone structure.
• Vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol)
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• CoQ¹⁰

Beneficial Foods and Drink

Eat a balanced diet, not taking in too many sugary or starchy foods. They tend to create an environment in which bacteria flourish and ensuing toxins do further damage to teeth and gum tissue.

Take Action and Learn to Smile Again

For better dental care and oral health the key is to have a comprehensive, life approach. Regular dental visits, diet, exercise, sleep, and dental hygiene habits are all part of a successful and responsible oral care plan.

Now that you have armed yourself with this information, make changes today. Also invest in quality teeth and gum treatments for daily hygiene cleaning.