Brushing and flossing the teeth are two of the most crucial activities that have a direct impact on the well-being of a person. Dr. Kami Hoss says that both of these activities are not difficult at all, and if done timely and correctly then they can efficiently prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Gum disease is basically caused due to bacteria found in plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth and ends up hardening into tartar if not removed in time. Bacteria in plaque and tartar can cause a number of dental problems, including gingivitis.
Good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing at least twice every day can go a long way in preventing gum infections, cavities, and tooth loss. Kami Hoss mentions that in addition to these steps, there are certain other activities that one must engage in as well to keep their dental health absolutely top-notch. Maintenance of oral hygiene is not that difficult, and just a few simple things can help people to make sure that their teeth are as clean, white and healthy as possible.
Here are some simple tips underlined by Dr. Kami Hoss to keep teeth healthy:
- Brush before breakfast and rinse after: Brushing the teeth before breakfast, especially with toothpaste that has fluoride would be a great idea. To maintain proper dental health, one must also properly rinse their mouth after they have had their breakfast. This should especially be done if one has juice or cereal for breakfasts, which have the risk of rubbing sugars and acids into the enamel on the teeth.
- Limit sugary foods: Sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can ultimately erode the teeth enamel. This is the reason why it is crucial to avoid food having high sugar content as much as possible. The acid to which sugar converts into is among the most common causes of cavities. Even certain fruits carry a lot of sugar content. Hence, it is important to maintain a balance. While one need not necessarily avoid all sugar heavy food, they must be mindful of whatever they are consuming.
- Switch from manual to electric: Kami Hoss points out that electric brush are much more effective in comparison to the manual ones when it comes to removing plaque, and can help keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay more efficiently. This is due to the fact that the small head of an electric brush has the capacity to get to the hard to reach areas that the larger manual brush are not able to reach at times. Moreover, an electric brush is less technique-sensitive than their manual variants, while being extremely feasible for anyone to use.
In taking care of their teeth and gums, one must not forget about their tongue. Plaque can also build up on the tongue as well, leading to bad breath and other oral issues. Hence, it is important to gently brush the gums while brushing the teeth.