Part of our overall well being is good oral health. To achieve this it is important that we maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing our teeth twice a day is not enough to say that we have good dental health. In this article, let us explore things that we can do to maintain good oral health.

The simplest thing is to brush our teeth properly and regularly. Brushing is very important as it cleans our teeth and helps remove plaque. If the plaque is not removed it will accumulate around our teeth and cause problems later. Most dentists recommend that adults use a medium sized toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent enamel erosion. It is also recommended to use a fluoride based toothpaste as it strengthens the teeth and protects them from plaque build up.

The best way to brush your teeth is as follows:

1 Place the head of your toothbrush against the teeth and tilt the bristles at a 45 degree angle against the gum line. Move the brush in small circular movements, several times on all the surfaces of every tooth.

2 Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower, keeping the bristles angled against the gum line.

3 Use the same method on the inside surfaces of all your teeth.

4 Brush the biting surfaces of the teeth

5 To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small circular strokes with the front part of the brush.

6 Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath and will clean your mouth by removing bacteria.

Then follow this pattern between all your teeth. Sometimes looking in the mirror can help you see that you are doing it properly. Finally using a fluoride mouthwash helps kill bacteria in your mouth and can help prevent tooth decay. As well as leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean, a good mouth wash protects against bad breath which can be a symptom of bad teeth or poor oral health. But remember using a mouthwash is no substitute for cleaning your teeth properly.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Some common features associated with gingivitis are red and swollen gums, and the presence of bleeding while brushing and flossing. The cause of gingivitis is the bacteria in dental plaque. This disease is reversible with good oral hygiene practices.