Created 10/5/2021
Updated 12/15/2023
The mouth is a fundamental organ of our body since it is through it that we feed ourselves, we favor our development and growth during our life, but are we aware of the need to take care of the health of our mouth and teeth? On this occasion we are going to explain what you have to take into account to have a good oral-dental health, although it is best that periodically come to make a review in our dental clinics in Barcelona and Ibiza.
Oral health
Oral and dental diseases are the most common and widespread diseases, especially in developed countries. Caries and periodontal diseases appear in childhood and increase in adulthood. Its frequency is progressively increasing in our society, largely due to the type of food rich in refined sugars. One of the main bacteria found in the mouth is Streptococcus mutans, which forms bacterial plaque and is also associated with the formation of cavities. It is a bacillus that develops thanks to the ingestion of glucose, and for this reason it is also more frequent in children.
But much can be done for our oral health if we adopt healthy habits from childhood, such as restricting the consumption of sugary products and proper dental hygiene, which is the best way to prevent the onset of these diseases. It must be taken into account that infection in the teeth can spread to the rest of the organism causing different diseases in the heart, joints, lungs, neuritis, sinusitis, etc.
Adulthood is one of the key moments to prevent and take care of oral health and thus face old age without problems.
Tips to keep your oral health in perfect condition
For a correct maintenance of your oral health we have to take into account several aspects related to 3 different sections: dental and oral hygiene, the food we eat, the annual visits we make to our dentist and the habits we have. Here we explain how each aspect influences your oral health and what you need to take into account
DENTAL HYGIENE
- Brushing your teeth is not the only step to follow if you want to have a healthy mouth, but it is one of the most important. Brush your teeth well, both the outside and the inside of your teeth. Most people are convinced that toothpastes help to remove plaque. There are also studies that show that only by using a toothbrush they are eliminated, since they are stuck to the surface of the teeth, and therefore could be overcome only with the mechanical movements of the toothbrush. Even so, they recommend toothpaste as it has a therapeutic effect. It is important to brush our teeth three times a day: after breakfast, lunch and dinner. After every meal, the production of bacteria in our mouth is enhanced, so brushing is of vital importance.
- Use mouthwash, it is very effective and refreshing and reaches those spots between your teeth inaccessible to your toothbrush. It is advisable to rinse the mouth with mouthwash after each brushing, although it can also be done independently.
- Don’t forget to floss, it is the best way to remove food debris that may remain between the teeth and enhance the production of bacteria.
In this article we explain how to brush your teeth, the types of bristles and how to use mouthwash and dental floss for proper dental cleaning.
FOOD
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet, trying to reduce the intake of sugars and increase the intake of fruits. A healthy diet is synonymous with a healthy mouth. Calcium, vegetables and foods that provide proper chewing, such as apples. In this article we have already explained the harmful foods. We should limit the consumption of foods that are harmful to oral health such as nougat, hard bread, etc. Also moderate the consumption of sugar and over-sweetened foods (candies, jams, etc.). According to several studies, when sugar consumption increases, there is an increase in tooth decay.
Limit the consumption of certain substances that can damage and yellow the enamel of your teeth, such as tobacco, wine, coffee, chocolate and vitamin complexes.
ANNUAL CONSULTATION WITH YOUR DENTIST
We are very clear that we must attend the annual gynecological check-up, that it is convenient to have a blood test every year or that we need to pay attention to our diet if we want to be healthy. But when it comes to our teeth, we rarely stop to think about whether we are giving them the proper attention.
It is not enough to brush after every meal, the annual visit to the dentist is a rule that must be complied with to receive the professional care that our mouth needs. The accumulation of plaque due to ineffective dental hygiene and habits such as smoking or an inadequate diet must be removed by a dentist. An annual visit to the dentist will help you keep your mouth free of tartar or plaque, your gums healthy and free of inflammation, and your teeth safe from cavities or infections that can cause major problems, such as tooth loss.
In this aspect is when our clinics are among the most valued by patients, for having facilities prepared for any oral and maxillofacial intervention and for having a medical staff with more than 20 years of experience in dental treatments.
Book a free visit today we will perform a Premium Dental Study and a CT scan in order to diagnose any problem you may have. The best thing is that it is totally free.
HARMFUL HABITS: SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
Tobacco is an environmental factor that reduces the host response and facilitates the development of periodontal disease. One of the mechanisms by which tobacco favors its development seems to be the reduction of immune defenses against periodontal pathogens. The typical characteristic of tobacco-associated periodontal disease is the destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth, with signs of bone loss, formation of periodontal pockets and occasionally tooth loss. Smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease by 5 to 20 times compared to the non-smoking population.
Smokers have an increased prevalence of periodontal diseases. They also have a higher prevalence of tooth loss. Smokers with periodontitis respond less favorably to both surgical and non-surgical or regenerative treatments, as well as compromising the success of implants.
Alcohol has also been related to oral health impairment, but its relationship is less evident than that of tobacco. Vaping is not the solution either, as we explained in this article.
Small tips to improve your habits and your dental health.
- Brush your teeth properly. If you do it with too much force, or with an unsuitable brush such as one with hard bristles, you may sensitize your gums or recede them. Your local dental clinic can show you how to do it right.
- Dental sticks are not a substitute for dental floss. It is one of the most common and famous habits. For many people, once they have finished eating, they use it to remove food debris left between their teeth. It is completely harmful to your gums, as it can end up contracting and create periodontal problems. The correct way to remove food debris is by first brushing, flossing or using interdental brushes.
- Don’t bite your nails. Not only can it cause damage to your teeth, but also serious infection problems due to bacteria. In addition, dental deformities, separation of teeth, mounted teeth. When you bite your nails you continuously and unnecessarily force your teeth.
- Biting other objects, e.g., a pen…. As with fingernails, it can be even worse, since these objects are left on a table, bag, etc.
- Do not open bottles with your teeth. It is a very dangerous habit for your teeth, as you can have a breakage or even get a serious injury. With a total or partial breakage of the tooth, you may have to have a dental implant placed.
- Take care of your diet. Avoid foods that are not good for your teeth. Hard foods, such as cheese, sugary foods, sweets, dyes, drinks such as coffee, tea, wine, cola, etc. can cause damage to the jaw (hard foods), enamel or stain the teeth (foods and drinks with dyes).
- Smoking. It is common knowledge that it not only harms your overall health, but also your mouth. It can affect your gums, causing serious periodontal problems, such as oral cancer.
For any questions do not hesitate to use the chat on the page, our dentists will help you.
At IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza, we follow editorial principles that guarantee the authenticity of all the information we disseminate. If you are interested in learning more about how we ensure that our content is always up-to-date and accurately supported, we invite you to review our editorial commitment.
This article has been supervised by Dr. Ferran Novell Costa and Dra. Erjona Demiraj, specialists in Dental Health and Dental Aesthetics treatments. Responsible for the treatments provided at IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza and for the supervision and/or updating of the contents of this blog entry. (7/11/2023). The recommendations described are not generic and do not replace the diagnosis and evaluation of a professional in a dental office. If you want us to clarify any aspect or you want a personalized diagnosis and advice we recommend you to come to our dental clinics.
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