Proper oral hygiene

Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are crucial for preventing diseases that can arise due to bacteria that develop from poor dental care. Neglecting oral hygiene not only affects the health of the mouth but can also contribute to the development of various diseases.

Patients often seek guidance on proper dental and oral care, especially after developing dental issues due to neglect. To address these concerns and offer reliable advice, we organized an educational workshop on best oral hygiene for our dentists and staff.

The workshop was led by the esteemed Associate Professor from the University of Zagreb School of Dentistry, Dr. Larisa Musić, a specialist in periodontology. Her educational and highly engaging lecture expanded our knowledge of proper oral hygiene and periodontal health, while the workshop was further enriched with hands-on practice on a model. A volunteer patient participated to help us demonstrate the key points Dr. Musić emphasized. We also used a special solution to reveal common mistakes in tooth brushing and maintaining oral hygiene.

1. What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene refers to all practices aimed at a very simple task – removing food debris after meals and bacteria from teeth and oral cavity. It’s no coincidence that proper hygiene and regular dental check-ups are essential for the prevention of diseases like cavities, gum inflammation, and ultimately, tooth loss. Taking care of oral health ensures the long-term health of teeth and gums.

Oral hygiene refers to the daily care of the mouth, including cleaning teeth, gums, tongue, and maintaining a healthy oral cavity to prevent diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Proper oral hygiene is crucial for preventing cavities, bad breath, and other dental problems.

2. Why is proper oral hygiene maintenance important?

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is both a skill and a habit. It can be frustrating to brush your teeth regularly and still experience issues like cavities or gum inflammation. This is often due to improper brushing techniques. That’s why the role of a dentist is essential: to work with you in customizing your oral hygiene routine, select the right products suited to your needs, and train you in their proper use. With consistent practice, you’ll develop the habits and manual skills necessary for effective tooth cleaning, which directly impacts the health of your oral cavity.

3. What is the best toothbrush?

Electric! Why is it so? Manual toothbrushes require much more manual skill to effectively clean all surfaces of the teeth. Think about it – why do cavities most often form on the back teeth? Because these areas are harder to reach and more difficult to clean mechanically. The quality of cleaning depends on the brushing movements, toothbrush position, duration of the brushing process, etc. That’s why in our clinic we follow contemporary scientific data and recommendations from professional organizations and we recommend electric toothbrushes. Toothbrushes based on pulsating-oscillating-rotating technology, such as the Oral-B iO toothbrush, offer the following benefits:

• Magnetic technology – scientifically proven to remove up to 6x more plaque along the gum line.
• Micro-vibrations – gently break down tooth plaque.
• Oscillating-rotating movements – effectively remove plaque.
• Small, round head – reaches even the hardest-to-reach areas.
• Pressure sensor – prevents gum damage.
• Bluetooth app – guides you through proper brushing, and enables the choice of brushing mode.
• Removes 100% of plaque in just two minutes of proper use.

4. How to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush?

Using this toothbrush does not depend on your movements. You just need to follow these simple steps:

a) Hold the toothbrush head on the tooth so that it touches the gum line as well.
b) Hold the brush on each surface of the tooth for 3 seconds.
c) Clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
d) Brush for two minutes – the Oral-B iO toothbrush automatically tracks the time… or longer if you prefer! The pressure sensor and the choice of Gentle Care brush head ensure effective yet completely safe cleaning.

5. How to best clean between your teeth?
Interdental spaces account for 40% of the tooth surface. Using dental floss or interdental brushes should be a part of your daily routine. Why? Because without them, you’ve left nearly half of your mouth uncleaned. Dental floss and interdental brushes are used to clean and remove food particles and debris in the areas between your teeth – known as interdental or between-tooth spaces. These areas cannot be cleaned sufficiently with a regular toothbrush, so additional tools and methods are needed to maintain oral hygiene.

However, there are several reasons why interdental brushes are a better option than dental floss: the bristles can reach areas that dental floss cannot, they can be used by those with braces and they are generally easier to use than floss. Think of them as toothpicks, but with bristles. Use them in the same way as toothpicks.

For first-time users, it is recommended to purchase a set of interdental brushes in various sizes so you can choose the appropriate size for each interdental space. Smaller brushes are used for spaces between front teeth (incisors), while larger ones are for spaces between molars. The bristles of the interdental brush should pass through the spaces with minimal resistance to avoid injuring the gums. When using the brush, aim the bristles vertically to the tooth surface and gently insert them into the spaces between your teeth. If the chosen brush doesn’t fit through a particular space, try a smaller size until you find the right one. Rinse the brush with water and move on to the next interdental space. Interdental brushes should be used once a day – in the evening, before brushing your teeth.

If you’ve never used or don’t regularly use interfental brush, it’s important to note that gum bleeding is completely normal for the first 14 days of using interdental brushes. Don’t be discouraged or alarmed by bleeding, as it will stop if you use the brushes correctly and consistently.

6. How often should we visit the dentist for a check-up?

If you generally don’t have any “problems” with your teeth, it’s recommended to visit the dentist at least once a year for a check-up.

Timely diagnosis allows for early treatment, helping to prevent larger dental issues. Additionally, it’s essential to schedule professional teeth cleaning at least once a year – removing both soft and hard dental plaque, as well as tartar. Our patients typically have this done during their annual check-up.

7. Can you teach me how to maintain proper oral hygiene?

Of course! Our clinic now offers a new service: “Personalized Oral Hygiene Education with Professional Teeth Cleaning.”

Before the education session, we will perform a dental check-up and professional teeth cleaning, allowing you to combine both services. If you’ve recently had a cleaning, we’d be happy to schedule a session where we personally demonstrate how to maintain proper oral and dental care using the Oral-B iO electric toothbrush. That way, you can start practicing the correct techniques the same day for a healthier, brighter smile.