A guide to taking care of your oral health properly

Oral health reflects the condition of the teeth, gums and oral cavity. Taking good care of your oral health will prevent gum disease, help protect your health, and give you confidence.
1. Proper oral health care measures
1.1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Dental and gum disease are the two biggest and most common oral health problems. Brushing your teeth twice a day in the morning after waking up and at night before going to bed is the most basic and important oral health care measure.
You should change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. For people with braces need to use a special brush as well as other oral hygiene tools according to the instructions of the dentist. If you have health problems that make it difficult to hold a toothbrush, you can use an electric toothbrush.
1.2. Brush your teeth properly
To take care of oral health , regular brushing is not enough, but brushing must be done properly to remove the plaque accumulated on the tooth surface, limiting the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gingivitis. If you brush your teeth incorrectly, it will wear down the enamel layer, causing sensitive teeth , plaque will harden and gradually accumulate, creating favorable conditions for bacteria to grow and attack teeth and gums leading to dentist . In addition, brushing too hard also damages the gums, causing gingivitis and receding gums.
The correct way to brush your teeth is as follows:Hold the toothbrush horizontally and at an angle of about 450 degrees to the gum line so that the bristles are in contact with both teeth and gums. Gently brush the outer surface of all teeth in the upper and lower jaw with a distance of 2-3 teeth (upper and lower jaws), or rotate the toothbrush so that the bristles can get into each tooth. , from 5 to 10 times, to remove all the food stuck to the teeth.
Brush the inside of the upper and lower teeth in the same way as the outside by brushing up, down, or in a circular motion.
Place the bristles parallel to the chewing surfaces of your teeth and then gently move the brush about 10 times from the inside out.
Brush your teeth properly for effective oral health care
1.3. Tongue cleaning
Not only does plaque build up on your teeth causing tartar, but plaque can also build up on your tongue, causing oral health problems and bad breath . Therefore, every time you take care of your teeth, combine brushing with brushing the surface of the tongue from the inside out with a toothbrush or a specialized tongue brush.
1.4. Use fluoride toothpaste
Choosing the right toothpaste is very important for oral health. There are many types of toothpaste. Depending on taste and brand preference, choosing a fluoride toothpaste should be a top priority. Fluoride is a substance that fights germs that cause tooth decay, while providing a protective barrier for teeth, helping to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce tooth decay.
1.5. Use the dental floss
Toothpicks often do not reach the small crevices of the teeth. Meanwhile, floss or water flosser will gently remove the small pieces of food stuck between the teeth without hurting the gums. When the interdental space is completely cleaned, plaque, gum irritation and inflammation will be significantly reduced.
1.6. Gargle immediately after eating
Besides proper brushing and flossing, rinsing with antibacterial water can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Mouthwash helps protect oral health in 3 ways:Remineralization of teeth
Reduce the amount of acid in the mouth
Cleans hard-to-reach areas in and around the gums.
Gargling with antibacterial water after eating is a fairly comprehensive cleaning measure, especially for children over 12 years old or those who are not used to using toothpicks or floss to clean their teeth.
In addition, chewing sugar-free gum after each meal can increase saliva production, which helps neutralize acids and cleans bacteria on the tooth surface.
1.7. Wear a mouth guard and don't smoke
If you participate in sports or recreational activities that are at risk of damaging your teeth, you must wear a mouth guard.

Tobacco turns teeth yellow, causes gum disease and increases the risk of oral cancer. Therefore, not smoking is one way to protect oral health.
A healthy diet is always beneficial for oral and gum health
1.8. Healthy diet
Regardless of age, a healthy diet is always beneficial for oral and gum health.
Drinking plenty of filtered water is good for your oral health as well as your overall health. Drinking water after each meal can help reverse the negative effects of acids in foods and beverages.
A balanced diet that includes fresh foods like nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products will provide the body with the nutrients it needs.
Limit sweets and acidic foods. The sugar in sweets is digested by bacteria in the mouth, which will turn into acids that can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. In addition, the sweetest foods are cakes and candies that often stick to the tooth surface for a long time, increasing the amount of acid for a long time. Fruits contain a lot of acids such as oranges, lemons, pineapples, strawberries, and drinks such as tea and coffee, which affect tooth enamel. Carbonated water is also a risk factor for dental problems because the carbon in carbonated water increases acidity in the mouth. Please rinse your mouth with filtered water after enjoying.
1.9. Dental visit at least 2 times per year
Periodic dental visit at least 2 times a year or more often if you have problems with teeth and gums for oral health care and advice . Dentist will scrape tartar, examine to detect tooth decay and treat accordingly. In addition, regular dental check-ups also help detect risk problems and provide timely prevention solutions such as:Early detection of signs of oral cancer : 90% of oral cancers are treatable when detected early. If not diagnosed early, the cancer will metastasize and thus be more difficult to treat.
Erosion of chewing surfaces due to teeth grinding during sleep is an anxiety or stress disorder. If not detected and treated, there is a risk of tooth decay.
Gum disease including gingivitis or periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in the elderly.
Drug interactions: Older adults, especially those with many medical conditions, are prone to dry mouth due to reduced saliva production, which is a risk of tooth decay and gum disease. There are about 800 medications that cause this condition, so it's important to let your dentist know what medication you're taking so that you can change to a different medication or use a suitable mouthwash.
2. Oral health care for babies and children
Parents can take care of their baby's oral health by following these suggestions:Take care of your teeth early from the time the first baby tooth comes in, usually at 6 months of age.
Clean the new teeth every day by rubbing gently with a clean wet washcloth. When teeth get older, use a children's toothbrush.
Children under 2 years old should not use toothpaste. Instead, let your child brush his teeth with water.
Only put a moderate amount of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a pea on the brush, as too much will cause white spots on your child's teeth.
Do not give your baby a bottle or drink juice before bed as this can cause milk or juice to stay in the mouth and cause tooth decay from bottle feeding.
Oral health education for children. Teach children the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and proper brushing.
When children are 2 years old, parents can let children brush their own teeth under the guidance and supervision of adults.
Limit feeding children fast food, marshmallows, sweets, and carbonated drinks. Encourage your child to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Take your child to the dentist regularly. According to the recommendations of the American Dental Association, children should start going to the dentist from the age of 1 year.
In short, brushing properly, flossing every day and having regular dental check-ups... is one of the important things to do to maintain good oral health, thereby helping to prevent gum disease. , protect health and bring confidence to people.