Back to the Basics II

Hi Readers,

In continuation to my earlier Blog "Back to the Basics", I have added some more tips to maintain a healthy oral hygiene:-

How to avoid Bad Breath

• Brush twice a day, morning and at bedtime
• Use tongue cleaner after brushing
• Floss
• Avoid smoking/Tobacco products
• Drink plenty of water and avoid dry mouth
• Visit dentist every six months for dental checkup and cleaning

Tooth Sensitivity

• Avoid vigorous brushing, don't over brush, ask your dentist for proper brushing technique
• Visit dentist immediately, sensitivity may be a sign of tooth decay/infection
• Use anti sensitive toothpaste

Pregnancy and you

Pregnant women are advised to maintain proper dental hygiene as they are more prone to gum inflammation and other tooth related problems. Gum Diseases can potentially cause preterm birth, and low infant birth weight. Inflammation and bleeding of gums is a common complain among pregnant women. These problems can easily be avoided by

• Keep good dental hygiene at home and brush after every meal for two to three minutes.
• Floss
• Ask the dentist for the right brushing and flossing technique.
• It is advised to get a thorough dental check up and cleaning done before pregnancy.
• In case a dental treatment needs to be carried out during pregnancy, then second trimester is the safest period.
• To prevent any gum diseases, it is advised to chew sugar-free gum as it increases the amount of saliva in your mouth
• Continue to visit your dentist for regular checkups as a precautionary measure.

Infants and oral hygiene

• Begin cleaning of baby's mouth even before teething. Wipe gums with a clean wash cloth and water after feeding.
• Put the child to bed with a bottle of water, not milk or juice.
• When teeth erupt, brush daily with water till the age of two.
• Your child's first dental visit should be between the eruption of the first tooth and his/her birthday.

Children and Oral Health

It is important to instill good dental hygiene habits in children from a very young age. Good dental hygiene will help prevent any dental problems at a later stage.

• Brush twice a day, morning and before bedtime
• Let children have chocolates and other sweets, however, make sure they brush after eating.
• It is advised that children visit a dentist twice a year to ensure proper dental health.
• If need be, dentists can apply a sealant on teeth's to avoid any cavities from developing
• Carbonated drinks should be avoided as much as possible, these drinks can gradually wash away tooth's enamel

Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding usually occurs during sleep due to stress, insecurity, or/and anger. Unfortunately, many people don't even realize that they are in the habit of tooth grinding and do it subconsciously. This if left untreated can cause a lot of damage to teeth and lead to enamel wear off, tooth chipping, sensitivity, jaw pain and headaches among other problems.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Jaw Pain
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Chipped Tooth

How to Avoid Tooth Grinding

• Live stress free, don't think too much
• Avoid Alcohol/caffeine/other stimulants

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