Top 6 Essential Tips for Oral Hygiene

After brushing your teeth properly with the right technique and time, and cleaning your tongue thoroughly, there is still one area in your mouth that hasn't been cleaned – the deep throat, where bacteria tend to accumulate and cause throat infections. However, a toothbrush or scraper can't reach this area as it might trigger a gag reflex. Therefore, to clean the deep throat area, mouthwash is necessary.

There are many mouthwash products available at various price points, and even using saline water for gargling is far better than not using any mouthwash at all. When using mouthwash, take an adequate amount and try to reach deep into your throat to clear away bacteria!

In Vietnam, it's common for people to rarely get their tartar removed. According to recommendations, everyone should have their tartar removed every 6 months. When was the last time you had tartar removed? If it's been over 6 months, it's time to schedule an appointment!

Tartar is hardened plaque formed by inorganic salts in saliva, which cannot be removed by regular brushing. If it accumulates, it can cause gum inflammation, bad breath, various periodontal diseases, and even lead to tooth loss. Additionally, it can affect your appearance and reduce self-confidence.

The process of tartar removal takes about 15 minutes, is painless, and costs around 50,000 - 100,000 VND. There's no reason to delay this simple dental care, right?

Even if you maintain proper and regular oral hygiene, you can still develop dental issues. Therefore, be mindful of any unusual symptoms, and if you notice the following signs, you should definitely see a dentist:

• Bad breath: Bad breath might be caused by improper brushing, but if the smell persists even after proper cleaning, it could be a sign of an underlying dental problem that needs treatment.
• Bleeding gums when brushing: Bleeding is not normal, especially when brushing your teeth. If this happens frequently and continues for an extended period, you should consult a dentist to determine the cause.
• Loose teeth: If your teeth become loose after the age when you should no longer be losing them, it could indicate problems with your enamel or other issues like osteoporosis or calcium deficiency. Visit a dentist for an accurate diagnosis.

While more severe symptoms like tooth pain, cavities, or cracked teeth are usually more obvious, don't overlook these subtle signs. Pay attention to them to keep your smile healthy and protected!

To assess your oral health, it's best to visit a dentist for a professional examination. However, if you don't have the time, you can perform a simple self-check at home by evaluating your "breath odor".

If you have bad breath, it's a clear indication that your oral health may be compromised. However, many people are unaware of whether they suffer from bad breath at all.

Here are two methods you can use to check:

• Breathing on the back of your hand: To check, breathe onto the back of your hand to leave saliva on the surface. Wave your hand to dry it and then sniff. If there’s no smell, your breath is likely fine. If there is an odor, you may have bad breath, and the stronger the smell, the more urgent it is to review your oral hygiene.
• Morning breath after waking up: When you wake up in the morning, reduced saliva production allows bacteria to thrive, leading to bad breath. If your breath feels unpleasant after waking up, it could be due to poor oral hygiene and the accumulation of bacteria overnight. Normally, your breath might be dry but not offensive. You can also try the "breathing on the back of your hand" method to assess your morning breath.

If you notice bad breath, it's possible that the cause is simply improper brushing technique. Learning the correct way to brush can make a significant difference in reducing bad breath.

Most people brush their teeth in a horizontal or circular motion, but this method fails to remove all the bacteria. Bacteria often remain in the gumline and between the teeth.

Here is the Improved Bass Brushing Technique recommended by the Department of Dentistry at Hanoi Medical University for daily use:

• Open your mouth slightly.
• For the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth: Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth axis, with the bristles placed along the gumline. Gently press and use a small back-and-forth motion about 20 times, then tilt the brush slightly toward the tooth surface. Clean three teeth at a time, then move on to the next section.
• For the inner surfaces of the front teeth: Place the brush vertically along the tooth axis. Use a gentle rocking motion or a small back-and-forth movement.
• For the chewing surfaces of the back teeth: Hold the brush perpendicular and use a back-and-forth motion to clean.

Advantages:

• Effectively removes plaque.
• Stimulates and massages the gums well.

Disadvantages:

• Can cause gum irritation if not done gently.
• Time-consuming.

On our tongues, there is a biological layer made up of food particles and bacteria, known as plaque. Even if you brush your teeth regularly, if you don’t clean your tongue, this plaque will remain, which is why you may still experience bad breath despite brushing correctly and frequently.

Cleaning your tongue is essential and incredibly simple. You can use a tongue scraper, which costs around 20,000 VND, or simply use your toothbrush to gently scrape away the buildup.

While cleaning your tongue, you might occasionally scrape too deeply, triggering the body’s gag reflex, which can be uncomfortable. Be cautious and avoid scrubbing too deeply—you don’t need to overdo it!