Seven Ways to Avoid Oral Infection

Seven Ways to Avoid Oral Infection

Issues in your mouth can affect your entire body, potentially producing other health issues. But poor oral health can also suggest a health issue that exists elsewhere in your body that may be causing poor oral health. Oral problems can even cause mental distress, potentially resulting in anxiety and depression.

There are situations, some of which can indicate infection, for which you should see your dentist between your regular checkups.

• Bad breath
• Changes in colour or appearance of cheeks, gums, palate or tongue
• Tooth sensitivity to cold or hot
• Toothaches
• Extremely dry mouth

Keeping your mouth healthy is critical to your overall health. Considering all the potential adverse effects on your health, consider the multiple things you can do to avoid oral infection. Here are seven ways to avoid oral infection.

1. Brush Your Teeth a Minimum of Twice a Day

Brushing at least twice a day is a preventative measure that most people know they should do. But you may not realize how important this is. This step is critical in keeping your mouth clean and will help significantly to avoid oral infections. Use toothpaste with fluoride on a soft-bristle toothbrush. Brush each time for a minimum of two minutes.

2. Floss Every Day

Most people probably do not perform this step every day. However, this is another critical step to prevent infection. It cleans out those spaces between the teeth that the toothbrush cannot reach. Food particles can get stuck between teeth, in addition to plaque forming in these areas. If left, bacteria can build, which can lead to an infection. If you have difficulty flossing between teeth, it may be that your teeth are crowded. In this case, teeth aligners may help correct this to help maintain a clean mouth.

3. Use Mouth Wash

Mouthwash helps to remove what is left behind after brushing and flossing. The right mouthwash can help with bad breath stemming from the mouth. More importantly, it can kill bacteria that lead to gum disease. Mouthwash also assists in preventing the buildup of plaque and strengthens your tooth enamel, all of which help prevent decay of your teeth.

4. Replace Your Toothbrush

It is crucial to change your toothbrush about every three or four months. If the bristles on your brush show significant signs of wear and tear, such as splaying, it is time to replace it. Wear and tear may occur sooner than three months. With regular usage, the bristles change shape and lose their cleaning ability. If you use an electric brush, you should change the head more often at about 12 weeks. These need to be changed sooner because the bristles are shorter and wear out more quickly than the manual toothbrush.

5. Visit Your Dentist and Hygienist Twice a Year

Visit your dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning about every six months. If there are no issues, one time a year is possibly sufficient. If there is an issue with oral disease, you may need to go more often than every six months. These visits are critical to keeping your mouth healthy. Your dentist checks your teeth but can also check for things like oral cancer. The hygenist completes a thorough cleaning and provides advice about oral care.

6. Eat a Healthy Diet

You are aware that eating a healthy diet is best for many reasons. But you may not be aware of how important this is for your oral health. Eating sugary or acidic food can weaken your enamel. A diet that is vitamin and mineral abundant and a diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables can help prohibit gum disease.

7. Skip Tobacco Use

Tobacco can be detrimental in many ways. It causes staining of your teeth. It can also lead to tooth loss, gum disease and cancer.

Oral health is critical to your overall health. If ignored, it may result in oral infection, which can lead to other health issues. It is easy to keep your mouth healthy by following simple steps.