Oral Hygiene Not many people realize that healthy teeth and gums are a reflection of the overall health of a person. Often, diseases affecting different organs first appear in the form of mouth ulcers or other oral problems. Therefore, maintaining oral hygiene is very important.
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent dental problems such as cavities, plaque, tartar, enamel erosion, and bad breath. Many problems related to oral hygiene are caused by plaque. Layers of bits of food and bacteria, called plaque, stick to the surface of teeth. This produces acids that cause cavities. The bacteria also harm the enamel, which results in dental erosion. When the enamel is damaged, it leads to pain and sensitivity. Brushing teeth in the right manner helps to clear the plaque on the surface of the teeth and near the gums, and prevents plaque from building up. Flossing cleans the plaque from between the teeth. Thus, brushing and flossing are very important to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Follow these simple and basic steps to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Rinse your mouth and teeth after every meal. Floss your teeth once a day in order to clean spaces between the teeth. Replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months. Having a healthy and balanced diet is also important. Avoid sugary foods such as candies, pastries, sodas, and sugary juices. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Crunchy foods, such as apples and carrots, clean your teeth naturally.
There are a variety of products available in the market that can help you to maintain good dental health. After consultation with your dentist, you can choose toothbrushes ranging from regular to power toothbrushes, inter-dental cleaners, floss, and different flavored mouthwashes. It is also important that you know how and when to use these products. Regular and proper use of these tools will help you maintain good oral hygiene.
A regular, once-a-year visit to the dentist is an absolute must. Most people think that they need to visit a dentist only if they experience discomfort or tooth pain. However, regular visits to the dentists can go a long way in contributing to good oral health. Dentists teach you the correct way to brush your teeth. They also offer advice on what products are appropriate for you to use. They help you diagnose and prevent several dental problems. Further, technological advancements in the field of dentistry have enabled easy and painless treatments.

1
Select all the correct answers.
Which two statements best convey the main idea of paragraph 5?
1 Visit the dentist for regular oral checkups to keep teeth and gums healthy.
2 Treatments are simplified due to new developments in science.
3 Maintain oral hygiene to prevent the need for emergency dental visits.
4 Replace toothbrushes as often as possible.
5 Dental visits are only necessary to eliminate pain and discomfort.