People are familiar with having to brush their teeth twice a day, flossing and even using mouthwash, but unless you have a background in dental care all are medically trained, it’s unlikely that you will understand the reasons why this is so important for your dental and general health.
Indeed most people were brought up with the ideology surrounding these routines in order to keep their teeth and gums looking good and not causing any dental pain but is that all there is to dental hygiene? This short guide explains why dental hygiene, both at home and in surgery, is so important for maintaining good oral and physical health.
Dental hygiene- what does it mean?
As mentioned before, most people are aware of the routines that surround dental hygiene, such as brushing your teeth with high-fluoride toothpaste and flossing each day diligently.
However, its importance can be overlooked, especially if you don’t regularly visit your dentist Sydney. In short, dental hygiene that is maintained helps to remove plaque or bacteria from the surface of your teeth. Plaque, if left in place, can harden and form tartar. In turn, this creates a barrier to cleaning with a regular toothbrush which then allows cavities to form and decay to set in. Not good!
So, dental hygiene involves removing the plaque from your teeth with a brush, with floss and with regular visits to see your dental team or hygienist.
What happens if hygiene isn’t maintained?
If you skip brushing and flossing your teeth every day and fail to keep your dental appointments, this can lead to issues such as bad breath, cavities, gum disease and even loss of teeth.
Gum disease is fairly insidious and can be overlooked as minor bleeding of the gums caused by over-brushing. But if you notice that your gums look red, are swollen, painful to touch, and it hurts to eat food, then you will need to see a dental team to have a care plan put into place. If gum disease isn’t dealt with, then it can lead to tooth loss and even issues with your health, which will be discussed later.
Should you be suffering from gum disease that has caused your teeth to become loose or fall out, then your dental team will either remove these teeth or splint them to the nearest available tooth that is secure to hold them in place.
Dental hygiene and health
The risks of not maintaining dental hygiene go far beyond issues with your teeth and gums.
Indeed, innumerable studies have found that individuals who have tooth decay and more plaque in their mouths are at a higher risk of developing complex secondary issues, such as heart disease, cancer and even strokes later in life. This is because the plaque on the teeth and gums causes the gum tissue to become more permeable, thus allowing the bacteria to get into the bloodstream, where it can accumulate and lead to these issues.
So, if it’s been some time since you had a trip to your dental team or hygienist, book one today!
DISCLAIMER OFFSITE
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
