Taking care of our oral health is just as important as taking care of our general health. Oral diseases affect almost 3.5 billion people around the world, impacting their quality of life, according to the World Health Organization. They also mention that these diseases are the result of modifiable risk factors, such as sugar intake, tobacco and alcohol consumption, poor hygiene, among others. Therefore, on this occasion, the dentist Manuel Tovar, from Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us some advice to have an adequate oral health.

The following tips will help us prevent oral diseases:

• Brush your teeth three times a day.
  It is advisable to do it systematically and methodically. That is, performing the same movements, in the same order to clean the entire oral cavity.
• Wash your tongue.
  It is the most forgotten part of oral hygiene and the one that accumulates the most bacteria. Therefore, proper hygiene will prevent the formation of bacterial plaque and bad breath.
• Dental floss.
  It will help remove food residue between the teeth and keep the gums healthy.
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash.
  It will kill germs, protect tooth enamel, and give you fresh breath.
• Be careful with your diet.
  Sugars and carbohydrates favor the formation of cavities. Wine and coffee stain teeth, while highly acidic drinks can damage enamel.
• Do not leave traces of food on the upper and lower lip.
  Check in front of a mirror that your teeth and gums are clean.
• Visit the dentist every 6 months preventively.
  You should not wait until you feel pain or discomfort to make an appointment with a specialist.

Manuel Tovar
Dentist at Clínica Ricardo Palma