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011 782 9714 / 011 782 5437

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30 3rd Avenue, Corner, 8th St, Linden, Randburg, 2195

Oral Hygiene Maintenance

Oral Hygiene Maintenance

Are you struggling to keep the bacteria in your teeth and gums under control? Is your oral hygiene maintenance taking a back seat? Our in house oral Hygienist at Dr Ebrahim Danka can help you with oral hygiene maintenance that helps your mouth to stay healthy.

What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene involves brushing and flossing your teeth and maintaining regular visits to your dentist. It is basically the practice of keeping your mouth and teeth clean and free of disease. Keeping regular appointments with Dr Danka for dental x-rays, routine oral exams, and teeth cleanings are crucial to preventing certain health conditions that have a negative impact on your teeth and gums.

What are the signs and symptoms of poor oral hygiene?

Look out for these warning signs. They could indicate you have poor oral hygiene:

  1. Toothache
  2. Tooth decay
  3. Gingivostomatitis – an oral infection inside your mouth caused by certain viruses or bacteria. It can result in mouth sores
  4. Bleeding gums
  5. Chronic bad breath
  6. Loose teeth
  7. Swelling of your jaw
  8. Receding gums

How can I Improve my Oral Hygiene?

An excellent customised oral hygiene maintenance routine helps to protect your teeth and gums against a variety of issues like tooth decay, sensitive teeth, gum disease, and more. Here are a few tips to keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice daily: Use fluoride toothpaste as it protects teeth against decay. Combine this with a soft-bristled toothbrush that is less likely to damage your gums.
  • Floss once a day: Brushing alone does not reach the spaces between your teeth. It is important to use a dental floss as it removes food particles that a toothbrush sometimes cannot.
  • Brush your tongue: The presence of germs and bacteria on your tongue can lead to bad breath and periodontal disease. Brush your tongue daily using your toothbrush or a tongue scraper. It will enhance your taste and remove harmful odour-causing build-up.
  • Use an antibacterial mouthwash: An antibacterial mouthwash helps prevent infection by inhibiting plaque build-up. Use your mouthwash every day to loosen hidden debris and food particles.
  • Avoid smoking: Smoking and other tobacco products increase your risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease. Avoid, or quit smoking altogether.
  • Decrease your sugar intake: Sugar attracts bacteria. Bacteria then use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel.
  • Maintain regular dentist visits: Routine dental exams are crucial in maintaining good oral health. Visits to your dentist twice a year helps to prevent a range of oral health issues. You will need more frequent visits if you are prone to gum disease, cavities, or other oral problems.

Our teeth are an important aspect of our appearance. It is therefore extremely important to take your oral health seriously. Speak to Dr Danka about personalising an oral health regimen that suits you.

What conditions can be linked to bad oral health?

Poor oral hygiene puts you at risk for a range of health conditions that include:    

  • Gingivitis – gum inflammation caused by plaque build-up on teeth.
  • Periodontitis – this is a gum disease that begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and spreads to the periodontal ligaments that attach the teeth to alveolar bone in the mouth
  • Oral cancer – also known as mouth cancer. This appears as a sore or growth in your mouth that does not go away. Tumours can develop on the surface of your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, your lips, or gums.
  • Chronic diseases – these can include diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • Stroke – if you have high levels of bacteria in your mouth, they can block the two carotid arteries in the neck — one on either side. This increases your risk of stroke.
  • Pregnancy complications – during pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone loosen the bones and tissues that keep your teeth in place.

Other health conditions that can have a negative impact on your teeth and gums include pneumonia, diabetes, and HIV/Aids.

The Importance of good Oral Hygiene

Putting a stop to oral health problems such as gum disease and cavities starts with preventative care. Taking good care of your teeth and gums contributes to your overall health and well-being. Good oral health is also vital to your physical and emotional well-being.

A good oral hygiene maintenance routine can have a positive impact on your appearance, your speech, and interpersonal relations. Daily brushing and flossing can keep bacteria under control and protect you from diseases caused by them. Your mouth is the gateway to your respiratory and digestive tracts so preventative care is imperative to keeping your whole body healthy

When should I see My Dentist?

You should visit Dr Danka immediately if it has been more than six months since your last appointment. He will examine your teeth and gums and recommend an oral hygiene regime that suits you. Be on the look-out for warning signs such as cavities, toothache, loose teeth, bleeding gums, or chronic bad breath.

Many oral conditions are preventable with early treatment. If you develop any of these symptoms, a dental consultation is crucial. Treating your oral health issues early can prevent more serious health problems in the future. Dr Danka is trained to spot these problems and suggest a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Why Choose Dr Danka as your Linden Dentist?

Dr Danka will recommend an oral hygiene routine that will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Preventable dental care is by far more affordable than emergency dental care or even restorative dentistry. Dr Danka will help you to reduce the need for dental work such as fillings, dentures, crowns, or implants.

Regular visits to Dr Danka can also stop any problems and prevent them from developing into major health issues. He is committed to providing his patients with information that makes them proactive about their oral health. Book an appointment today and start enjoying a healthier mouth and a brighter smile.

Have any questions on oral hygiene maintenance? Our team is here to help. If you do not find your answer below, get in touch with us and we will do our best to provide it.

  1. Use a soft-bristled brush, fluoride toothpaste, and brush your teeth twice a day.
  2. Brush your tongue
  3. Floss once a day
  4. Use antibacterial mouthwash daily
  5. Visit your dentist regularly

Signs of poor oral hygiene include tooth decay, loose teeth, bleeding or swollen gums, tooth erosion, bad breath, gum disease, receding gums and swelling of the jaw.

Oral health refers to the condition of the mouth, teeth, and related facial structures. Good oral health is important because it allows individuals to perform basic functions like eating, breathing, and speaking. It also includes psychological aspects such as self-esteem, overall well-being, and the ability to engage socially and professionally without experiencing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment.

Typically, the body’s immune system and proper oral hygiene practices effectively manage oral bacteria and keep germs under control. This involves daily brushing and flossing to maintain oral health. Inadequate oral hygiene can allow bacteria to proliferate, potentially leading to conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.

If you’re concerned about improving your dental hygiene, you may be experiencing issues like bad breath, cavities, or stained teeth. While more severe dental problems might require treatments such as tooth extraction or implants, most minor dental hygiene issues can be effectively addressed.

Tooth decay is an oral hygiene problem that impacts about 90% of adults aged 20 to 64 years, while gum disease affects nearly 50% of adults aged 45 to 64 years, making them among the most common oral health issues.

Inadequate oral habits encompass a variety of behaviours such as thumb, finger, and tongue sucking, pacifier use, lip sucking, lip licking, mouth breathing, and nail biting, among others.

When oral health is neglected, bacteria from the mouth can enter the body, potentially contributing to various health issues. This highlights the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

Early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums after brushing or flossing your teeth as well as red and swollen gums.

Saltwater is highly effective, non-medical way to help heal gums affected by gum disease. It helps reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and diminish bacteria in the mouth and gums. Rinsing with saltwater 2-3 times daily can effectively combat gum infections.

Viral infections can lead to cluster-like lesions either inside or outside the mouth, whereas bacterial and fungal infections may cause redness or ulcers in the oral cavity. Common symptoms include mouth, lip, or gum sores, as well as recurring bad breath.

If you have gingivitis, making simple adjustments to your oral hygiene routine can effectively improve the health of your gums. Dental intervention is typically needed more frequently only if the condition progresses beyond this initial stage.

Bad oral hygiene can be linked to a number of conditions in the body including diabetes, heart problems, strokes, pneumonia and more.

After a week without brushing, the enamel on your teeth begins to deteriorate. Plaque buildup increases, leading to bad breath and making it harder to clean teeth effectively. Skipping brushing for a week significantly raises the risk of developing cavities.

Brushing your teeth before breakfast can help protect your tooth enamel and promote better overall oral health compared to brushing after eating. If you choose to brush after meals, it’s advisable to wait approximately 30-60 minutes to avoid potential damage to the enamel, especially if consuming acidic foods or drinks.