Oral or dental hygiene means a healthy mouth in sight and smell. In general, the teeth should be clean and free of food remains, the gums should be healthy and pale coral pink, and most importantly, good breath. One of the most important things for the teeth and gums is to maintain excellent oral hygiene since a healthy and neat mouth not only gives a good appearance to the person but also allows them to speak, eat and smile properly. That is why day by day more people are trying new dental hygiene solutions such as the water flosser solution. It is also extremely important for the general well-being of the human body.
According to the World Health Organization: ‘Oral health, essential to enjoy good health and good quality of life, can be defined as the absence of orofacial pain, mouth or throat cancer, infections, and mouth sores. , periodontal (gum) diseases, caries, tooth loss and other diseases and disorders that limit the affected person’s ability to bite, chew, smile and speak, while affecting their psychosocial well-being.’
Having a healthy mouth is an important aspect of health that people are not aware of until health problems arise. Experts say that this is an unfortunate fact since, with good habits, regular check-ups, and proper tools like a portable water flosser, most problems can be prevented. 9 out of 10 people worldwide are at risk of oral disease. The effects of oral diseases in terms of pain, suffering, functional impairment, and decreased quality of life are considerable and costly.
Dr Peterson states that: ‘Poor oral health can have profound repercussions on general health and quality of life, pain, abscessed teeth, problems eating or chewing, tooth loss and the existence of discoloured or damaged teeth have important effects on the daily life and well-being of people.’
The connection between oral and general health is based on the fact that the mouth is the main point of entry for bacteria to the respiratory and digestive tracts, and these can cause diseases. Normally, the human body’s defenses and oral health care keep bacteria under control. Studies suggest that oral bacteria and inflammation associated with periodontitis may play a role in some systemic diseases. Certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral problems even more serious.
Oral health contributes to various diseases and conditions such as:
- Pneumonia, since some bacteria from the mouth can be transmitted to the lungs.
- Endocarditis, is usually caused when bacteria or germs from the mouth or another part of the body spread through the bloodstream and attach to certain areas of the heart.
- Complications in pregnancy and childbirth-related to periodontitis have been linked to premature birth and low step at birth.
And otherwise, various diseases affect oral health:
- Diabetes, by reducing the body’s resistance to infection, diabetes puts the gums at risk, which is more common in diabetic patients.
- HIV/AIDS, causes painful mucosal lesions.
- Osteoporosis, causes bone weakening and is related to periodontal bone loss and tooth loss as a result. And certain medications to treat this disease cause damage to the jaw.
- Alzheimer’s, progress is observed as this disease progresses.
Other conditions that could be related to oral health are eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
All this can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene, and for this, you need daily preventive care, such as:
- Do tooth brushing, flossing, and mouthwash regularly (2–3 times a day). Don’t forget to use the best equipment. I recommend Sonic Toothbrush for you. This is a high-quality toothbrush from Binicare, a well-known brand of dental hygiene equipment.
- Eat a balanced diet and reduce intake between meals.
- Use fluoride dental products, including toothpaste.
However, for more detailed hygiene, flossing is highly recommended without ignoring the other points above.
Is it really necessary to use dental floss?
This is the question many people ask themselves when it comes to mouth health. Dental floss is a topic that generates debate and finds defenders and detractors. To have healthy teeth, you need to take care of them, and the first thing to do is brush them at least twice a day. But that may not be enough. The toothbrush does not reach all 5 surfaces of the tooth, and therefore allows dental plaque to accumulate, not to mention the food that gets stuck in the interdental spaces. For this reason, the use of dental floss like string floss can be very important.
Dental floss, what is it for?
Its function is to help the brushing work, eliminating the remains of food that contribute to the proliferation of bacterial plaque. Dental floss is composed of plastic or nylon filaments grouped in a cylindrical way to form a strong thread. The thickness of the floss will depend on how narrow or wide the space between the teeth is, as it must be able to fit between them to scrape and remove accumulated dirt.
How about water flossing?
For a more technological approach to interdental and under-gum cleaning, you may want to consider water or air jet. These portable devices, also known as oral irrigators, deliver a jet of pressurized air and/or water between two teeth. For some people, they are the easiest way to floss, especially for back teeth that are hard to reach.
We assume that you don’t necessarily have to choose between dental floss or water jet as the two tools can integrate perfectly. A water jet is a tool that has been used by dentists for some time to effectively clean their clients’ teeth. In recent years, however, the best water flosser has also arrived in the domestic oral hygiene market and patients have thus been able to purchase it to significantly improve the quality of home oral hygiene.
If you are undecided between a water jet or dental floss, keep in mind that the former is an instrument capable of emitting a jet of water up to a frequency of 3000 pulsations per minute. In short, thanks to the power of the water jet it will be possible to remove all traces of plaque and food from teeth, gums, and dental implants. If you are interested in water flossing you can visit the Binicare website. Binicare is a provider of the best water flossing equipment, for example, this cordless water flosser.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.