Oral Hygiene Habits

Smile an Ever Lasting Smile

Practice Good Oral Hygiene Habits to Protect Your Pearly Whites.

A good set of teeth can add beauty to a smile and is a sign of good oral health. Oral health related issues are a concern for everyone in the world. However, while the infrastructure is available in Sri Lanka, due to the lack of awareness, most people tend to neglect their oral health.

A good set of teeth is important for eating, talking and for building a person’s personality. By the time a child reaches the age of 3 years, most children have a set of 20 primary teeth. These teeth eventually fall, being replaced by permanent teeth around the age of 6, and a set of 28 permanent teeth would have erupted by age 13. The eruption of wisdom teeth later-on,

Similarly, starch contained in ‘junk food’ can ferment on the tooth, forming an acid that can destroy the outer part of the tooth, leaving it susceptible to decay. Additionally, carbonated drinks- especially using straws affect the teeth. A study conducted by the University of Colombo suggests that people who drink carbonated beverages have a lot of erosions in the back of their front teeth. Thus it is the parents’ responsibility to encourage children to eat a healthy diet free of sugar, starch and carbonated drinks.

It is also of paramount importance to brush the teeth twice a day in the morning and at night. Dr. Wickramasinghe explained that rather than brushing the teeth immediately after waking up in the morning, it is advisable to do so after eating breakfast, as the purpose of brushing your teeth is to cleanse them of any food particle lodged in between the teeth.

During the day, the saliva circulating within your mouth gives the teeth an auto cleansing. However, bacteria takes 24 hours to turn into acid. Therefore it is important to interrupt the process at least every 12

There are certain specifications for toothbrushes which dentists recommend. While it is generally accepted worldwide that toothbrushes with a soft filament are ideal for brushing one’s teeth, Dr. Wickramasinghe stated that these brushes are not feasible for Sri Lankans. He explained substances such as spices, tea and coffee can leave stains in teeth. Therefore a toothbrush with medium-filaments is ideal for Sri Lankans. The filaments should also be of equal length. Dr. Wickramasinghe also said that a white filament is best for a toothbrush as any bleeding could easily be observed. In addition, the brush should have a handle with a proper length that the user can easily grip. The toothbrush should also be replaced once the filaments begin to bend and finger brushing, tooth powder, charcoal, etc should be