Tips to keep your mouth healthy

BarcelonaWe all know that brushing our teeth is an essential habit for taking care of our mouth and avoiding cavities. However, this is not the only indication that we should follow to have good oral health and hygiene. The doctor and dentist Núria Vallcorba, who has been the president of the Catalan Society of Dentistry and Stomatology of the Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osteointegration and of the SEPA Foundation of Periodontology and Dental Implants, reviews with the ARA the essential elements for having a healthy mouth.

Three times a day

Teeth should be brushed at least two or three times a day, always after each meal and for at least two minutes. The brushing method will be different depending on what you want to prevent, explains the doctor, but the surface of the tooth should always be free of the plaque that is generated throughout the day. It is especially important to do it at night, because it reduces salivation, which increases the proliferation of bacteria. On the other hand, Vallcorba points out that even if you do not eat, you should brush your teeth because oral diseases are not caused directly by food, but by bacteria.

Brush between your teeth and use toothpaste with fluoride

One of the most overlooked steps is brushing between the teeth. To ensure good intradental hygiene, the doctor recommends using floss, dental floss or interdental brushes, depending on the size of the spaces between the teeth. In addition, it is advisable to clean the interdental brushes first and then use a manual or electric toothbrush with toothpaste containing fluoride, as this is a product that helps prevent the appearance of cavities.

Change your toothbrush every three months

Every three months as a guideline. You have to be alert and check if the brush is worn out to change it or if the bristles open, as this means that you are brushing too hard. The same goes for electric toothbrush heads, which are also recommended to be changed every three months. On the other hand, for those that come with a lid, Vallcorba recommends not keeping it so that the brush dries between uses. It is also recommended that household brushes not be in the same container to avoid contamination by contact.

Do not smoke, do not drink and eat well

Good habits are always linked to good health. Tobacco is a risk factor for the appearance and development of periodontitis (gum disease) and oral cancer. Alcohol is also a risk factor for oral cancer. The doctor warns that it is a very common type of cancer and is often diagnosed too late because there is no awareness.

On the other hand, the diet should be healthy and balanced, with few carbohydrates. Sugars should also be avoided, because they promote more bacteria in the mucous membranes.

Go to the dentist

Check-ups should be carried out at least every six months, whether or not there is discomfort in the mouth. The doctor points out that there are other warning signs that may indicate that we should go to the dentist, such as changes in the colour or consistency of the gums, bleeding (whether during brushing or not), increased sensitivity or bad breath, among others.

Finally, Vallcorba warns that those who have implants must maintain the same oral hygiene, since there is also mucositis and peri-implantitis, which can cause an implant to be lost. Therefore, they must be cared for in the same way as if they were a tooth.