You probably know that eating healthy and exercising is essential for your well-being. But did you know that brushing and flossing are just as important?
Brushing and flossing daily can often feel like a hassle. But if you don’t keep up with your oral hygiene, it could negatively affect your overall health.
So why is dental hygiene important? Keep reading to find out.
Tooth Decay
If you ate a lot of sugar as a child, you’re probably familiar with tooth decay. Tooth decay is the slow decomposition of your enamel that can lead to holes in your teeth (cavities).
Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria, acid, and food particles. And when plaque builds up on your teeth, the acid eats away at the outer layer of your tooth called enamel. After this, it will break down the other layers of your teeth.
So if you don’t brush your teeth to get rid of that plaque buildup, you could develop multiple cavities. Or worse, you could lose a tooth.
Gum Disease
Gum disease (gingivitis) is when the gums become inflamed. This occurs when you don’t brush your teeth or floss frequently enough. Symptoms include swollen gums, bleeding gums, gum recession, pain while chewing, and tooth loss.
If gum disease progresses without treatment, it can become periodontitis. This infection can extend to your jaw, bones, and other areas of the body.
Links to Other Diseases
If you smoke tobacco products, it can contribute to poor oral health and lead to oral cancer. This type of cancer can appear on the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, the floor of the mouth, and the roof of the mouth.
And in recent years, researchers have also found that bad oral health is linked to other conditions and diseases. Here are some of them:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Endocarditis
- Pneumonia
- Birth complications
- Diabetes
So if you want a healthy body, time to have a healthy mouth!
How to Protect Your Oral HealthÂ
To keep up with your oral hygiene, there are several things you can do.
First, visit a trusted dentist twice a year, such as The Dental Team. If something is wrong with your oral health, they can tell you before it becomes serious.
Second, make sure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. Your toothbrush shouldn’t be too old and should have soft bristles. And if you want to be extra safe, your toothpaste should have fluoride in it.
Third, try to avoid smoking and eating sugary foods.
Why Is Dental Hygiene Important?
So why is dental hygiene important? Because if you don’t pay attention to your oral health, you could develop tooth decay, gum disease, or even cardiovascular disease. But if you brush and floss daily, you’ll have one healthy and happy mouth!
If you found this article on dental health helpful, check out more of our health content.
