Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems, most commonly, dental cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath.

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Cleaning of Teeth

Teeth cleaning is part of good oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth in order to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. This is done by carefully and frequently brushing with a toothbrush and the use of dental floss to prevent accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

Flossing

The use of dental floss is an important part of oral hygiene for  removal of plaque and decaying food which remains stuck between the teeth. Flossing is recommended at least once per day.

Interdental Brushing

An interdental brush, also called an interproximal brush or a proxy brush, is a small brush, typically disposable, either supplied with a reusable angled plastic handle or an integral handle, used for cleaning between teeth and between the wire of dental braces and the teeth.

Tongue Cleaning

Tongue cleaning is  an important element of daily oral hygiene, since it removes the white/yellow bad-breath-generating coating of bacteria, decaying food particles, fungi (such as Candida), and dead cells from the dorsal area of the tongue.

Gum Care

Massaging the gums with toothbrush bristles is generally recommended for good oral health.

Oral Irrigation

Few dental professionals recommend oral irrigation as a way to clean teeth and gums.