The Importance of Dental Hygiene

             
                                             The Importance of Dental Hygiene

If you visit your dentist regularly, you probably hear a lot about dental hygiene. After all, the brushing and flossing they recommend is designed to keep your teeth and gums looking (and smelling) fantastic. Oral hygiene, though, is about more than just keeping your smile clean and breath fresh. It also has a significant impact on overall health.

Nutrition

Your mouth is the first part of your digestive system, so it only makes sense that your oral hygiene has a bearing on overall nutrition. Strong teeth are crucial to eating many healthy foods, such as apples, carrots, and nuts. If you don’t maintain your dental hygiene you could experience inflamed gums, cavities, and infected or lost teeth. All of these issues make it more difficult to enjoy wholesome, fresh foods. You could end up filling yourself with soft, junky foods instead. Chewing problems can also lead to irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal failure, among others medical conditions.

Infection and Diseases

Poor oral hygiene is also linked to some infections and diseases. Cardiovascular disease, for instance, may be related to the bacteria caused by oral inflammation. New research is constantly being done to determine the exact linkages between such conditions.

There are indirect effects of poor dental hygiene, as well. For example, if you have an infection in your mouth, it weakens your entire immune system and makes you more susceptible to other sicknesses. Serious cases of oral infection may potentially lead to sepsis.

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean and healthy requires proper attention. The most important thing to develop is a maintainable routine. It’s not good enough to brush only a few times a week; brushing needs to occur at least twice per day. Make sure you’re spending about two minutes brushing, or you might not remove all of the plaque and bacteria. To simplify the process, set a timer or play your favorite song.

Other steps to good oral hygiene include:

•   Flossing at least once per day, being careful not to damage the gums.

•   Using a mouthwash after eating.

•   Avoiding excess sugar or overly sticky foods, such as caramel.

•   Brushing after eating sugary or grainy meals that may embed themselves in tooth grooves or existing cavities.

One of the most important ways to protect your dental hygiene is by visiting your dentist on a regular basis. She will be able to check for warning signs and future problems, while giving your teeth a deep cleaning.

If you need help and guidance on this, give us a call! 

Solace Oral Surgery www.SolaceOralSurgery.com