Oral Hygiene and importance of flossing

why-flossing?

Why oral hygiene?

Brushing is a good oral hygiene practice. Right! But do you know brushing alone can’t keep the oral cavity clean? Yes, forget not, to do ‘flossing’.  Flossing can clean the areas where brushing cannot do. Daily twice brushing and at least one-time flossing are considered good practices.

Oral Health

Oral health maintenance is important for all people of any age. Good oral health and regular visit to a dentist helps people to lead a happy and healthy life. Brushing and flossing are the most important way to the healthy oral cavity.

Conditions linked to poor oral health?

If your oral health is poor it can contribute to several diseases and conditions including
• Endocarditis: An infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) commonly develops when germs from another part of your body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and adhere to certain areas in your heart.
Cardiovascular disease: Many research findings say that heart disease plagued arteries and stroke might have a link to the oral bacteria.
• Pregnancy and birth complications: Periodontitis/ Gum disease has a link to premature birth and an infant’s low birth weight (LBW).
• Pneumonia: Oral bacteria passing through your lungs can cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Apart from the above conditions, people with poor oral hygiene are at the risk of certain other conditions like Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.

What is flossing:

Flossing-steps Flossing Steps

Flossing helps in removing plaque and debris between teeth, where the brush can not reach.

Types of flossing: There are four types of flossing viz. 1. Waxed 2. Unwaxed  3. Flavoured and 4. Plan.
How often should we do flossing?  Daily!

Steps of flossing:

  1. Take a string of floss about 18mm and wrap it around both middle fingers.
  2. Grab the floss between the thumb and index finger of both hand
  3. Gently guide floss between teeth by using zig-zag motion. Gently wrap floss around the side of the teeth.
  4. Slide the floss up and down against both tooth surfaces under the gumline.
  5. Floss all the teeth including last teeth on each side.

Similar flossing Tools: Flossing holder, Floss thread, Oral irrigator, Interdental brush

Jerush Dental & Facial Corrective Centre is located at Thuckalay, near Marthandam, Tamilnadu, India.


dr-jovitta Dr-Jovitta

Author: Dr. Jovitta M.
Dr. Jovitta M. is responsible for a chair on the 3rd floor at Jerush Dental and Facial Corrective Centre. She has been a skilled dentist with a keen interest to learn new things in dentistry.  Her expertise in pediatric dentistry did remarkable growth in gaining smiles of happy child patients stepping out with their parents.

Arthritis Patients and Dental Health concerns!

arthritis-dental-care-cover
arthritis-dental-care-header Arthritis and dental care in Jerush Dental & Facial Corrective Centre, Thuckalay

Several studies have shown the connection between Arthritis and dental problems. Periodontitis (Gum disease) and Gingivitis (Gum Inflammation) are common oral diseases found in Rheumatoid arthritis patients. Maintaining proper oral hygiene, avoiding foods that build plague easily, seeking timely dental advice are key points to be followed by RA patients.

Conditions that caused by Arthritis

  • Sjogren’s syndrome is a condition due to Arthritis which damages the salivary gland and causes inflammation. This may lead to dental cavities, dry mouth, eating difficulty, and sometimes tooth loss.
  • Temperomandibular joint (TMT) also be affected by Arthritis, making it painful while opening and closing your mouth.
  • Bacterial infection due to Arthritis can cause swelling on the gums over the jaw, and be the reason for severe pain, fever around the jaw.
  • A white layer of fungal infection may appear on the tongue or around and inside of cheeks.
  • Rare possibility to occur mouth ulcer also.

On what all reasons arthritis patients need to visit their dentist?

  1. When properly caring/brushing teeth is more complicated, patients need to seek the dentist’s advice. Arthritic patients with any of these conditions such as hand deformity, finger contractures, wrist fusions, painful elbows, etc., who suffer to cope with proper brushing need their dentist’s advice for alternative cleaning procedures.
  2. Arthritis patients when they feel jaw pain or severely limited range of motion, which restricts the jaw motion should immediately visit the dentist for advice.
  3. When the bacteria from an arthritic patient’s mouth enter the bloodstream, through a cut in their mouth from any way or simply brushing will harm the overall health. Fixing this condition insists upon a dentist’s advice.
  4. When arthritis patients are at higher risk for developing root caries, a visit to your dental office only be the best option to fix it.
  5. When dry mouth occurred as a symptom of certain diseases, occurred as a side effect of some medications, please visit your dental office without delay.
  6. Arthritic patients, when they have had their joint replacements are strictly advised to have regular dental check-ups.