primary health care

Primary health care

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• Awareness regarding the importance of oral
hygiene has significantly increased in the
developed countries, but contrary to that, the
modern dietary lifestyle habits are posing a
greater risk for oral health.
• Good oral health is important to your overall
well-being.

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene includes all the processes
for keeping mouth clean and healthy.
Good oral hygiene is necessary for
prevention of
1.dental caries,
2. Periodontal diseases,
3. bad breath
4.and other dental problems.

Importance of goodoral hygiene:

• Prevention is always better than
cure. Good oral hygiene habits will
keep away most of the dental
problems saving you from toothaches
and costly dental treatments.

• 1.Brushing:

• 1. Always use a soft bristled toothbrush
• 2. Use anti-cavity Fluoride toothpaste
• 3. Hold toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gum
line, brushing in a circular motion. This sweeps
plaque out of the gingival pocket
• 4. Brush teeth for a minimum of two minutes at least
twice a day.
• 5. Brush gums and tongue along with your teeth.
• 6. Don’t brush too hard because this can cause
gingival (gum) recession.


Total manual brushing time of 3 to 5 minutes has been suggested; powered brushes may be used for 2 minutes

1. Thorough bacterial plaque removal once a day is the minimum requirement for maintaining periodontal health; it may not, however, be the optimum regimen for some individuals
2. Frequency should be increased when gingival or periodontal conditions warrant it or when caries risk or activity is high
3. Brushing removes residual food debris as well as bacterial plaque and is one method for self application of topical fluoride

Proper brushing method

1. For thorough but gentle cleansing, use a
soft toothbrush
2. Hold your brush at a 45° angel. Begin by
brushing the outside of the front teeth. Use a
gentle back-and-forth motion.
3. Next, brush the outside back teeth,
starting along the gum line.
4. Inside back teeth. Use short, angled brush
strokes

5. Inside front teeth. Tilt the brush

vertically; use an up-and-down motion.

6. Chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat.

use a gentle scrubbing motion.

2.Flossing:

METHOD:
1. Use an arms length (18 inches) of floss. Wrap around fingers mostly to one side.
2. Floss each tooth forming a “C” shape with the floss each time.
3. A new area of floss should be introduced into each gingival pocket.
7.Don’t forget to floss behind your last molar.
REASONS FOR FLOSSING:
Flossing removes plaque from behind your teeth that brushing misses.
Flossing helps prevent periodontal disease by removing plaque.

Use about 18" of floss, leaving an inch or

two to work with.

Gently follow the curves of your

teeth.

Be sure to clean beneath the gum line, but

avoid snapping the floss on the gums.










3.Proper Diet:
1. Avoid foods that are high in sugar
content.
2.Carbonated drinks are more acidic
than non carbonated drinks; hence
more dangerous.
3.Foods like potato crisps tend to stick
in the grooves; stay for an extended
period and cause decay.
4.Avoid excessive intake of fruit
juices (can be very acidic). They can be
diluted with water.

4.Other interdental cleaning:

1.Single tufted brushes :. one large bristle.
.for cleaning spaces between teeth.
.to carry medicated gel into pockets.
2.Interdental brushes:
.for cleaning spaces between teeth.
.for cleaning pontics
3.Interdental wood sticks:
.Specially shaped ‘tooth picks’ made from
either wood or plastic.
.used for interdental cleaning.
4.Super floss:
.Special type of floss designed to clean
beneath pontics or fixed bridges.

5.TONGUE CLEANER

 The dorsum of the tongue harbors a great number of microorganisms. These bacteria may serve as a source of bacterial dissemination to other parts of the oral cavity.
 Therefore, tongue brushing has been advocated as part of daily home oral hygiene together with tooth brushing and flossing, since this might reduce a potential reservoir of microorganisms contributing to plaque formation

 The bacterial accumulations on the dorsum of the tongue may also be the source of bad breath.

6.Rinsing:

• Regular rinses with a good mouthwash helps to keep your mouth clean, fresh and germ free.
• Daily rinses must be alcohol free (they cause dryness of oral mucosa)
• Flouride rinses helps to boost the strength of newly erupted teeth.
• It is important to follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not rinse the mouth with water after used mouth rinse

7.Regular dental checkups:

• Good oral hygiene should be a joined effort between you and your dentist.
• Your dentist, if visited regularly, will detect and prevent any problem before it becomes hazardous for you.
• Regular dental checkups are an essential part of dental hygiene routine for young and old alike.

Signs of good oral hygiene:

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:
Your teeth are clean and free of debris.
Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss.
Bad breath is not a constant problem.

Thank you