Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent dental problems and bad breath. The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the Alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up Halitosis, oral malodor, breath odor mouth odor foul breath fetor oris fetor ex ore or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant

Contents 1 Teeth cleaning 2 Tongue cleaning 3 Flossing 4 Gum care 5 Food and drink 5.1 Beneficial foods 5.2 Detrimental foods 6 Other 7 Oral hygiene and systemic diseases 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

Teeth cleaning

Main article: Teeth cleaning

Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque and tartar from teeth in order to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Teeth cleaning is the removal of Dental plaque from Teeth, in order to prevent cavities (dental caries Gingivitis, and periodontitis Dental plaque is Biofilm (usually colorless that builds up on the Teeth. In Dentistry, calculus or tartar refers to calcified deposits on the teeth, formed by the continuous presence of Dental plaque. Dental caries is a disease that damages Tooth structures resulting in what is commonly called tooth decay or cavities which are holes in the teeth Gingivitis (" Inflammation of the gums quot ( Gingiva) around the Teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva Severe gum disease causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss.

Generally, dentists recommend that teeth be cleaned professionally at least twice per year. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling, tooth polishing, and, if too much tartar has built up, debridement. The objective of scaling and root planing, otherwise known as conventional periodontal therapy or non-surgical periodontal therapy, is to remove or eliminate the etiologic Tooth polishing is smoothening of Tooth surface The purpose of polishing is to make it difficult for plaque to accumulate on the surface area Debridement is a medical term referring to the removal of Dead, damaged or Infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining This is usually followed by a fluoride treatment for children.

Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene is essential for preventing tartar build-up which causes the problems mentioned above. This is done by carefully and frequently brushing with a toothbrush and the use of dental floss to prevent accumulation of plaque on the teeth. The toothbrush is an instrument consisting of a small Brush on a handle used to clean Teeth through Tooth brushing. Dental floss is either a bundle of thin Nylon filaments or a plastic ( teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove Food and Dental ^[1]

Tongue cleaning

Dental specialists recommend daily use of a tongue cleaner as an essential way to remove the debris coating the tongue, composed of a large variety of bacteria, oral fungi, decaying food particles, and dead cells, that all together generate bad breath (also named halitosis) and may affect the health of teeth and gums (tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis). A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper) is an Oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up food debris Fungi, and dead cells Halitosis, oral malodor, breath odor mouth odor foul breath fetor oris fetor ex ore or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant Halitosis, oral malodor, breath odor mouth odor foul breath fetor oris fetor ex ore or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant The protein rich surface of the tongue harbours the highest amount of bacteria thriving in the oral cavity. That explains the utmost importance of thoroughly cleaning the tongue with a properly designed tongue cleaner.

Flossing

The use of dental floss is an important element of the oral hygiene, since it removes the dental plaque and the decaying food remains stuck between the teeth. Dental floss is either a bundle of thin Nylon filaments or a plastic ( teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove Food and Dental Flossing for a proper inter-dental cleaning is recommended at least once per day, preferably before bedtime, to help prevent receding gums, gum disease, and cavities between the teeth. Receding gums ( gingival recession) refers to a loss of gum tissue resulting in an exposure in the roots of the teeth Dental caries is a disease that damages Tooth structures resulting in what is commonly called tooth decay or cavities which are holes in the teeth

Gum care

Massaging gums is generally recommended for good oral health. The gingiva (sing and plur: gingiva) or gums, consists of the Mucosal tissue that lies over the Alveolar bone.

Food and drink

Foods that help muscles and bones also help teeth and gums. Breads and cereals are rich in vitamin B while fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, both of which contribute to healthy gum tissue. (8) Lean meat, fish, and poultry provide magnesium and zinc for teeth. Some people recommend that teeth be brushed after every meal and at bedtime, and flossed at least once per day, preferably at night before sleep. For some people, flossing might be recommended after every meal.

Beneficial foods

Some foods may protect against cavities. Fluoride is a primary protector against dental cavities. Fluoride therapy is the delivery of Fluoride to the Teeth Topically or systemically in order to prevent Tooth decay ( Dental caries Fluoride makes the surface of teeth more resistant to acids during the process of remineralisation. In Biogeochemistry, remineralisation refers to the transformation of Organic molecules to Inorganic forms typically mediated by biological activity Drinking fluoridated water is highly recommended by dental professionals. Milk and cheese are also rich in calcium and phosphate, and may also encourage remineralisation. Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. Cheese is a Food made from Milk, usually the milk of cows, Buffalo, Goats or sheep, by coagulation. Calcium (ˈkælsiəm is the Chemical element with the symbol Ca and Atomic number 20 A phosphate, an Inorganic chemical, is a salt of Phosphoric acid. In Biogeochemistry, remineralisation refers to the transformation of Organic molecules to Inorganic forms typically mediated by biological activity All foods increase saliva production, and since saliva contains buffer chemicals this helps to stabilize the pH to near 7 (neutral) in the mouth. Foods high in fiber may also help to increase the flow of saliva. Fiber or fibre is a class of Materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces similar to lengths of thread. Sugar-free chewing gum stimulates saliva production, and helps to clean the surface of the teeth. For songs called "Chewing Gum" see Chewing Gum (song Chewing gum is a type of Confectionery traditionally made of Chicle (8)

Detrimental foods

Sugars are commonly associated with dental cavities. Other carbohydrates, especially cooked starches, e. g. crisps/potato chips, may also damage teeth, although to a much lesser degree. A potato chip or crisp is a thin slice of Potato, deep fried or baked until Crisp. This is because starch is not an ideal food for the bacteria. It has to be converted by enzymes in saliva first. For the band see Saliva (band; for the village in Azerbaijan see Səliva. ^[2]

Sucrose (table sugar) is most commonly associated with cavities, although glucose, fructose, and maltose seem equally likely to cause cavities. Solubility of Pure SucroseTemperature(Cg Glucose (Glc a Monosaccharide (or simple Sugar) also known as grape sugar, is an important Carbohydrate in Biology. Fructose (also levulose or laevulose) is a simple reducing Sugar ( Monosaccharide) found in many foods and is one of the three Maltose, or malt sugar is a Disaccharide formed from two units of Glucose joined with an α(1→4 linkage The amount of sugar consumed at any one time is less important than how often food and drinks that contain sugar are consumed. The more frequently sugars are consumed, the greater the time during which the tooth is exposed to low pH levels, at which point demineralisation occurs (below 5. 5 for most people). It is important therefore to try to encourage infrequent consumption of food and drinks containing sugar so that teeth have a chance to be repaired by remineralisation and fluoride. Limiting sugar-containing foods and drinks to meal times is one way to reduce the incidence of cavities.

Artificially refined sugar is not the only type that can promote dental cavities. There are also sugars found in fresh fruit and fruit juices. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. In addition, these foods (oranges, lemons, limes, apples, etc. ) also contain acids which lower the pH level. Soft drinks are unhealthy for the teeth, because of their lower pH and also because of their sugar content. Drinking sugared soft drinks throughout the day raises the risk of dental cavities tremendously.

Another factor which affects the risk of developing cavities is the stickiness of foods. Some foods or sweets may stick to the teeth and so reduce the pH in the mouth for an extended time, particularly if they are sugary. It is important that teeth be cleaned at least twice a day, preferably with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, to remove any food sticking to the teeth. The toothbrush is an instrument consisting of a small Brush on a handle used to clean Teeth through Tooth brushing. Regular brushing and the use of dental floss also removes the dental plaque coating the tooth surface.

Chewing gum assists oral irrigation between and around the teeth, cleaning and removing particles, but for teeth in poor condition it may damage or remove loose fillings as well. For songs called "Chewing Gum" see Chewing Gum (song Chewing gum is a type of Confectionery traditionally made of Chicle ^[3][4]

Other

Smoking and chewing tobacco are both strongly linked with multiple dental diseases. Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. ^[5] Regular vomiting, as seen in bulimics, also causes significant damage. Bulimia nervosa is an Eating disorder characterized by recurrent Binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors referred to as "purging"

Mouthwash or mouth rinse improve oral hygiene. Mouthwash or mouth rinse is a product used for Oral hygiene. Antiseptic and anti-plaque mouth rinse claims to kill the bacterial plaque Dental chewing gums claim to improve dental health. Functional gum is the name given to types of Chewing gum which impart some practical function instead of or in addition to the usual enjoyment provided by a traditional

Retainers can be cleaned in mouthwash or denture cleaning fluid. Orthodontic retainers are custom-made devices made usually of wires or clear plastic that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method of closing spaces between teeth ^[6] Dental braces may be recommended by a dentist for best oral hygiene and health. Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces) are a device used in Orthodontics to align teeth and their position with regard to a person's bite Dentures, retainers, and other appliances must be kept extremely clean. Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the Oral cavity. This includes regular brushing and may include soaking them in a cleansing solution. ^[7]

Oral hygiene and systemic diseases

Several recent clinical studies show a direct link between poor oral hygiene (oral bacteria & oral infections) and serious systemic diseases, such as: ^{[8] [9]}

• Cardiovascular Disease (Heart attack and Stroke),
• Bacterial Pneumonia,
• Low Birth Weight,
• Diabetes complications,
• Osteoporosis.

See also

• Receding gums
• Periodontology
• List of oral health and dental topics
• List of basic dentistry topics
• Halitosis
• Toothbrush
• Tongue cleaner
• Dental floss
• American Dental Hygienists' Association

References

External links

• World Health Organization site on oral health

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