subject: The Importance Of Keeping Good Oral Health [print this page] As kids, everyone gets told by their dentist how important it is to brush their teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. At the time, most people don't fully grasp how important oral health is to overall health and wellness. However, people who are in good oral health are at a lower risk for other problems and will avoid health complications due to tooth decay and gum disease. By brushing, flossing and having periodic check ups with your Pompano Beach dentist, you can avoid these damaging health problems.
Tips For Good Oral Health
The first thing to remember when taking care of your oral health is to brush at least twice daily and floss every day. Though this is relatively simple, many people do not keep up with this routine and subsequently their oral health suffers. In addition, many people forget or simply do not replace their toothbrushes after 3 months. Bristles can become dull and toothbrushes can become much less effective after many months of use.
A healthy diet can also be a major factor in maintaining good oral health. By eating less sugary foods and limiting between-meal snacks, people can keep their teeth cleaner and limit the buildup of plaque on their teeth. Another big contributor to oral health is being sure to schedule regular checkups with your Pompano Beach dentist. Dentists perform professional cleaning of teeth and remove tartar and plaque that normal brushing cannot deal with. Dentists can also find any potential problems and recommend treatment before they turn into larger, more painful problems.
Consequences Of Bad Oral Health
If you disregard your responsibility to take care of your own dental health, you will run the risk of running into a multitude of health problems. Failing to brush your teeth will result in the buildup of large amounts of plaque on the teeth and gums. Left untreated, this plaque will harden and turn into tartar. This can cause painful cavities in the teeth that must be removed. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to gingivitis, a form of gum disease. Gingivitis can lead to more serious forms of gum disease and must be treated to prevent further infection.
Keeping good oral health combats the overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. In addition to causing tooth and gum disease, these bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. There is evidence that oral health is linked to heart disease and other infections of the body.
To prevent these negative outcomes, it is important to stay vigilant in maintaining good oral health and hygiene. Brushing, flossing and consistent visits to the dentist are all important in keeping your teeth and gums free from plaque. Contact your dentist to get your teeth looked at today.
