What does fair oral hygiene mean?

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Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth.



Also know, what is considered poor oral hygiene?

The cause of poor oral hygiene is usually the patient's failure to maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as regular brushing and flossing of teeth to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Some foods (sugars and acidic foods) and habits (such as smoking) can also result in poor oral hygiene and dental diseases.

Beside above, what is the purpose of oral care? The purpose of oral care should be to keep the lips and mucosa soft, clean, intact and moist. Cleaning the mouth and teeth (including dentures) of food debris and dental plaque should alleviate any discomfort, enhance oral intake and prevent halitosis (Fitzpatrick, 2000).

Similarly, you may ask, what are the oral hygiene instructions?

What you can do for a healthy mouth

  1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  2. Floss every day.
  3. Visit your dentist for a dental exam and cleaning at least every 6 months, or as recommended.
  4. Check your gums to make sure they're pink and that the gum line hugs teeth tightly.
  5. Stop smoking.

What is oral hygiene index?

Oral Hygiene Index The Oral Hygiene Index is composed of the combined Debris Index and Calculus index, each of these index is in turn based on 12 numerical determinations representing the amount of debris or calculus found on the buccal and lingual surfaces of each of three segments of each dental arch, namely.

32 Related Question Answers Found

Can dentist tell if you give oral?

As the American Dental Association explained to me by email: “During a standard dental exam, a dentist cannot determine if a patient regularly engages in oral sex. However, a dentist is trained to notice abnormalities in the mouth and can discuss with a patient what may be causing them.” So that's reassuring.

What can a dentist tell from your mouth?

5 Things Your Dentist Can Tell About You From Your Teeth
  • Disease and Illness. Oral cancer – Starting as a small spot in the back of your mouth or under your tongue, Snodgrass-King Dental Associates can help to find an early appearance of oral cancer.
  • Eating Disorders.
  • Heavy Drinking.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Stress/Anxiety.

What are 5 oral health diseases?

Oral diseases and conditions
They include dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) diseases, oral cancers, oral manifestations of HIV, oro-dental trauma, cleft lip and palate, and noma.

What your mouth says about your health?

Every day, as long as you're healthy, you produce two to four pints of saliva. It helps you taste and digest food, keep your mouth clean, heal wounds in your mouth and more. If your body stops making enough of it, you experience discomfort, pain, and a greater risk of infection and tooth decay, among other problems.

How do you fix poor oral hygiene?


This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits.
  1. Don't go to bed without brushing your teeth.
  2. Brush properly.
  3. Don't neglect your tongue.
  4. Use a fluoride toothpaste.
  5. Treat flossing as important as brushing.
  6. Don't let flossing difficulties stop you.
  7. Consider mouthwash.

What causes poor oral health?

Causes of oral ill health. Risk factors for oral and dental ill health include poor diet and hygiene, trauma, stress, smoking, alcohol use, and use of illegal substances. These are also common risk factors for other chronic diseases.

How important is oral hygiene?

Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease—and can help you keep your teeth as you get older. An unhealthy mouth, especially if you have gum disease, may increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes and preterm labor.

Why are my teeth bad even though I brush?

Tooth decay also occurs when foods containing carbohydrates become trapped between teeth and are not completely removed with brushing and flossing. Major causes of tooth decay are sugary, sticky foods and beverages. The more sugar consumed, the more acid, which gets produced leading to decay.

What is the best oral hygiene routine?

Here's what you should consider:
  • Understand your own oral health needs.
  • Develop, then follow, a daily oral health routine.
  • Use fluoride.
  • Brush, floss, and rinse daily.
  • Eat a balanced diet and limit snacking.
  • If you use tobacco products, quit.
  • Examine your mouth regularly.
  • Visit your dentist regularly.

How do you give oral care?


Brushing for oral health
  1. Brush your teeth twice a day. When you brush, don't rush.
  2. Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably.
  3. Practice good technique.
  4. Keep your equipment clean.
  5. Know when to replace your toothbrush.

How do you care for an oral patient?

Oral Care Tools:
  1. Sit the patient fully upright or in an elevated side-lying position to prevent aspiration during mouth cleaning.
  2. Inspect the patient's mouth:
  3. Remove loose material or debris (especially important if patient is NPO/Nothing by Mouth):
  4. Brush the teeth with toothpaste.

Can bad oral hygiene cause health problems?

Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, and has also been linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment.

When should I use mouthwash?

Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.

How can I clean my mouth?

Every day:
  1. Gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste.
  2. Use small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.
  3. Brush carefully and gently along your gum line.
  4. Lightly brush your tongue to help keep your mouth clean.
  5. Clean around your teeth with dental floss.

What are the principles of oral hygiene?


In health care, the main normative principles are nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice. These principles are associated with expectations for behavior, and they provide guidelines in dealing with right and wrong actions.

How often do you give oral care to an unconscious patient?

(vii) Recommended mouth care every 1-2 hours, especially for persons who were not able to take anything by mouth. (i) Erroneously instructs patients in “Teaching Your Client About Oral Hygiene” to use regular toothpaste when brushing dentures.

Why is oral care important in hospitals?

[12] note that maintenance of good oral health is important for patients in hospital, as it contributes to the well-being, recovery, and nutritional needs of the patient, and it requires the involvement of nursing staff. Oral care is dependent on the nurse's knowledge of oral care best practice.