Oral Hygiene

INTRODUCTION: –

Certain patients are prone to oral problems because of a lack of knowledge. Good oral hygiene includes daily stimulation of the gums and brushing of teeth.

ORAL HYGIENE: –

It is cleaning the teeth and the oral cavity of the patient. It includes measures to prevent the spread of disease from the mouth and increase the comfort of the patient.

PURPOSES: –

> To maintain the health of teeth, tongue, lips, and oral tissues

> To remove calculus and stains from and between the teeth.

> To stimulate the appetite.

> To provide a sense of well-being.

> To remove bacteria and food particles.

> To prevent wounds and ulcers in the mouth

> To prevent discomfort resulting from halitosis and taste alteration.

> To prevent gum inflammation and infection.

> To prevent the dryness of oral surfaces.

> To prevent injures which result in ulceration.

> To maintain the intactness and health of the oral cavity and health of the lips.

> To prevent oral infections.

> To clean and moisten the membranes of the mouth and lips.

COMPLICATIONS: –

LOCAL COMPLICATIONS:

1} Halitosis

2} Stomatitis

3} Pyorrhoea

4} Root abscess

5} Tonsillitis

6} Sinusitis

7} Parotitis

8} Glossitis

9} Sores and crust

10} Otitis media

GENERAL COMPLICATIONS:

1} Inhalation pneumonia

2} Nephritis

3} Joint disease

4} Rheumatic Heart disease

5} Loss of appetite

HOW TO IDENTIFY TOOTH DECAY:

Food getting stuck between teeth and bad breath, toothache, tooth sensitivity.

Prevention of tooth caries:

> Good oral hygiene habits

> Fluoride application

> Scaling

> Pit and fissures sealants

WHY SCALING IS IMPORTANT?

> Removal of infected deposits – plaques, calculus, and stains from surfaces of the teeth.

> Simple procedure by a dentist to keep gums healthy.

TREATMENT OF CARIES:

> Silver amalgam and composite

> Root canal treatment

> Extraction

PREVENTION OF HALITOSIS:

> Treatment of the problem

> Dental treatment

> Smoking cessation

> Avoid certain foods

> Keep the mouth hydrated.

PREVENTION OF TOOTH SENSITIVITY:

> Correct brushing technique

> Do not brush immediately after eating

> Reduce / stop carbonated drinks

> Uses for straw for minimal contact with teeth.

> Uses of sugar-free chewing gums.

TREATMENT:

> Scaling

> Restorations

> Crowns

> Caps

> Fluoride application

> Periodontal Surgery

HABITS: –

BRUSHING –

< Twice daily

< choose the correct brush and correct brushing technique.

FLOSSING-

< remove plaque and calculus from the areas where the brush cannot reach.

< Best done before brushing.

MOUTHWASHES:

< Best done 1 hour after brushing.

< take under dentist advice

< Chlorhexidine/fluoride/anti-sensitivity.

TOOTHPASTE:

< Fluoridated toothpaste.

< Non-fluoridated tooth {kids <3 yrs.}

DIET:

> Avoid eating sweets and sticky foods, aerated drinks.

> Eat food rich in fiber.

> Fruits and vegetables

> Drinking plenty of water.

> Drinking less amount of water in-between meals

> Rinse your mouth after meals.

MAKE THE CONNECTION!

A healthy mouth means HEALTHY BODY.

Eating a balanced diet with fiber-rich foods will improve oral health and general health.

CONCLUSION:

> Strengthen the tooth enamel with the appropriate fluorides.

> Protect the chewing surfaces of teeth using dental sealants.

> Brush and floss twice daily a day to remove bacteria.

> Limit serving of carbohydrate food and increase taking more fiber foods.

INTERESTING FACTS:

• The average person spends around 39 total days maintaining oral hygiene in his lifetime.
• People drinking 3 to 4 glasses of soda a day have more caries and tooth loss than other normal people.
• Flossing cleans your teeth for more than 40 percent.
• Right-hand people tend to chew food on the right side of the mouth same as the left-hand does as well.
• The blue toothbrush is commonly used than any other color.
• Tongue prints are unique same as your lip prints and fingerprints.
• Just like fingerprints, tooth prints are also unique in each person.
• The average time of brushing in adults is 45 to 50 seconds.
• Plaque contains around 350 species of bacteria.
• There are about 12 teaspoons of refined sugar in a single can of carbonated drink.