What Is Oral Hygiene?

Oral hygiene, also known as dental hygiene, refers to the steps you take to maintain healthy teeth and gums — from brushing your teeth to regular dentist visits. The purpose of oral hygiene is to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental emergencies.

The Importance of Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene has many benefits. Let’s take a look.

Healthier Teeth and Gums

Practicing proper oral hygiene — like brushing and flossing your teeth, rinsing with mouthwash, and mindful eating — helps keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Fresh Breath

Good oral hygiene not only promotes healthy teeth and gums, but it also keeps your breath fresh by getting rid of the bacteria in your mouth that hides in hard-to-reach areas, such as your back molars, and inner surfaces of teeth, which can often cause bad breath.

Less Dental Work

If you maintain the right dental care habits, you’ll likely experience fewer cavities and decreased need for fillings, crowns, and root canals. You’ll also be less susceptible to gum disease, which can result in tooth loss and the need for implants, bridges, or dentures.

Overall Health

Oral hygiene affects more than just your teeth. Left neglected over many years, poor oral hygiene can lead to the development of gingivitis and may progress to periodontitis, a more serious, irreversible chronic condition. Research has found associations between periodontitis and more serious conditions that affect your entire body such as:

• Cardiovascular disease and endocarditis
• Pneumonia
• Stroke
• Pregnancy complications
• Diabetes

On top of that, there are psychological benefits to having good oral hygiene. A healthy smile can help you feel more confident and affect how others perceive you.

Signs of Poor Oral Hygiene

Maybe you do all the right things to take care of your teeth, but you still aren’t sure if your oral hygiene routine is as effective as possible.

To get a better idea of your oral health, look for signs of poor dental hygiene, including:

• Bad breath
• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Bleeding gums
• Tartar
• Dark or discolored teeth
• Receding gums
• Cavities
• Gum disease

Tips and Best Practices for Healthy Teeth

Follow these tips and best practices if you want healthier, brighter teeth.

1) Brush Your Teeth Morning and Night

Good oral hygiene starts with brushing your teeth effectively. Brush at least twice daily with a high-quality, soft-bristled toothbrush and stannous fluoride toothpaste.

2) Use the Proper Tooth-Brushing Technique

If you’re not using the right tooth-brushing technique, you’re likely not properly cleaning your teeth. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line and make short gliding strokes over your teeth with gentle pressure.

It’s important to effectively clean all surfaces of your teeth — front, back, between teeth, and chewing surface. Your total brushing time should be a minimum of two minutes.

Keep in mind that even good toothbrushes have a limited lifespan. It’s recommended to replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles appear worn. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, just replace the brush head.

3) Floss Your Teeth Daily

Flossing your teeth daily removes any food or plaque from in-between your teeth where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. Like with brushing, technique is key.

Break off 18 inches of floss and wrap the ends around your middle fingers. Glide the floss in-between each tooth, making a “C” shape around the side of the tooth each time. Slide up and down to remove plaque.

4) Rinse with Mouthwash

Antibacterial rinses help eliminate bacteria, while fluoride rinses can help minimize tooth decay. Choose the mouthwash that’s right for your dental health needs or ask your dentist for recommendations.

5) Brush Your Tongue

For complete oral health, don’t forget to brush your tongue to get rid of any additional bacteria or food particles.

Starting at the back, gently brush the top, sides, and underside of your tongue in a back-and-forth motion. Rinse your mouth with water afterward.

6) Visit Your Dentist Regularly

It’s important to visit your dentist regularly for a thorough check-up and cleaning. If you’re at high risk for gum problems, your dentist may suggest more frequent cleanings.

7) Don’t Smoke or Vape

Avoiding nicotine products is essential for your overall health, and it’s important for your oral health. Nicotine is known to cause gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. If possible, quit smoking, vaping, or using any other tobacco products to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

8) Cut Down on Sweets and Acidic Foods

While removing food particles is an important part of oral hygiene, it’s also important to minimize the amount of sweet and acidic foods you consume. These can wreak havoc on your dental health.

Sugary foods feed the acid-producing bacteria on your teeth, which can gradually wear away your tooth enamel. Acidic foods and drinks (like tomatoes, wine, soda, and coffee) also erode tooth enamel, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

If you do indulge in sweet or acidic foods, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth out with water afterward.

9) Drink Enough Water

Drinking water is another effective way to remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth, but that’s not all. Staying hydrated can:

• Prevent dry mouth by increasing saliva production
• Freshen your breath
• Neutralize acids in your mouth
• Wash away stain-inducing foods and drinks to prevent tooth stains

10) Eat Fruits and Vegetables

What you eat can have a big impact on your oral health. Choose healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Foods and drinks enriched with calcium and protein-rich foods that contain phosphorus are good for your teeth and can help protect and rebuild tooth enamel.

Take Care of Your Smile with Oral-B

It’s simple: Good oral hygiene is essential for your oral health. By following our tips and best practices, you can more effectively avoid tooth decay, cavities, and other dental issues.

Switching to an electric toothbrush, such as Oral-B’s iO Electric Toothbrush Series, is a great first step toward improved dental health. These toothbrushes provide 360° whole mouth protection and remove 100% more plaque than manual toothbrushes for a professional and personalized clean feeling at home every time you brush.