Dr. Ankit Gaur

  10 Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth :

“Be true to your teeth, they won’t be false to you.”

1. Brushing :

• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Night brushing is very important, because during sleep our mouth is at rest so there are more chances of accumulation of bacteria which cause further cavities and leads to disturbance in the oral cavity.
•  Follow a proper brushing technique.

    2. Use a good fluoridated toothpaste with a right toothbrush. Toothpaste should have 1000ppm of fluoride and toothbrush should have a small and narrow head with soft bristles.

    3. Flossing :

• Flossing helps to remove food stuck in between your teeth.
• It can be done daily or 2-3 times a week.
• Waxed dental flosses available in market are of Oral B, Colgate.

    4. Interdental Brush:

• If the spaces between the teeth are wide, you can use an interdental brush.                                                                                                  

    5. Oral Irrigation:

• Now-a-days, a new dental aid is added which helps to clean the teeth, interdental areas, inside the gums and below the crowns more easily.
• It is also known as dental “Water flosser” or “Oral irrigator” available in brands like waterpik, panasonic etc. 

    6.  Drink plenty of water and rinse after every meal.  

    7. Clean your tongue surface daily.

    8. Pit and Fissure Sealants:

• The grinding teeth in a person mouth erupt at 12-16 years of age. They have deep grooves and pits in which food gets stuck. A Sealant is applied to these teeth which makes the grooves shallow and prevents food and bacteria from getting into the teeth and causing decay

    9 .Whitening - Home Remedies :

• Add a pinch of baking soda in drinking water and rinse twice a day.
•  Consume strawberries once a day or crushed strawberries applied to teeth helps as teeth whitener.

    10.Visit your dentist every 6 months and get your scaling (cleaning) and polishing  done.

     Dr. Puja Bansal - Prudent International Health Clinic, Kalyani nagar,  Pune.

Who doesn’t love the smell and the freshness of a mouthwash splashing across their oral cavities?

Many agree that the first thing that comes to their mind when they want to eliminate bad breath is to use a good mouth wash. Moreover, mouthwash has moved over to other realms and are now actively fighting gum and tooth problems along with their elder cousin, a toothpaste. However, there exists some scepticism that prolonged usage of mouthwash may not be good for your health. Let us look at some definitions in detail.

Can mouthwash reduce bad breath?
Yes, a mouthwash can temporarily restrict bad breath, but it is never a permanent solution. A good oral hygiene comes from regular brushing and flossing practice and these are still the best ways to curb bad breath from its root. Mouth rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen up breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, and to reduce plaque

Is it necessary to use mouthwash?
A mouthwash is not mandatory to give a good oral health. An effective routine of brushing and flossing your teeth is enough to take care of good oral hygiene. Mouthwash is like an add-on to your oral care regime and is definitely not an alternative for brushing and flossing.

Advantages of using a mouthwash
A mouthwash can easily go into places between your teeth and gums and can help remove food particles that might have missed when you brushed. It can be used to kill bad odour of your mouth temporarily and can freshen up your breath. In some cases, a mouthwash may be recommended to treat infection, reduce inflammation and relieve pain

Disadvantages of using a Mouthwash
Most of the mouthwash contain a high amount of alcohol content in them and their prolonged usage is not safe for your mouth. In some cases, alcohol causes sensitivity to the root surface of your teeth and this may lead to adverse effect on the senses of your teeth. Mouthwash is strictly meant for spitting and accidental consumption may not be good for your health. They actually contain products that can be very harmful if taken in large amounts. It is generally not advised for children and even adults can limit their usage to twice a day. Always check with your dentist before you take up and use a mouth wash. It is also best if you can opt for a homemade mouthwash that has natural ingredients in them for taking care of your bad breath. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a General Physician.