Why Oral Hygiene Is Important
Good oral hygiene is essential not just for overall health but also for your self-esteem and social life. While most people understand the importance of brushing their teeth at least twice daily, few know many other benefits of keeping your mouth clean. Here are 12 reasons why proper oral hygiene is so important:
1) Prevents Dental Cavities
The number one reason for keeping your teeth and gums clean is to prevent dental cavities. Cavities form when bacteria in our mouths break down sugars from food and drink, creating an acidic environment that causes damage to our teeth.
Brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste can help keep our enamel strong and prevent cavities from forming. Flossing helps remove plaque between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach, further reducing the risk of developing cavities.
2) Avoids Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs when bacteria build up along the gum line, causing inflammation and infection. It’s important to brush around the gum line carefully each time you brush to ensure all of the plaque has been removed.
Additionally, flossing helps reduce plaque buildup between the teeth and under the gum line, which can lead to gum disease if left unchecked. Regular visits to the dentist are also crucial to detect any signs of gum disease before it becomes a more severe problem.
3) Freshens Breath
Nobody likes bad breath! Regular brushing and flossing help reduce odors caused by bacteria in the mouth which keeps breath smelling fresh throughout the day. For persistent bad breath, using a quality tongue scraper after brushing can help remove any additional plaque or bacteria that may be stuck on your tongue’s surface, which could be causing an unpleasant smell.
4) Helps Prevent Tooth Decay
A common misconception is tooth decay only happens due to poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing regularly or eating sugary foods/drinks frequently. This is partially true, however, as many other factors, such as age or genetics, can contribute to decay.
Keeping your mouth clean through regular brushing and flossing will help reduce the chances of developing tooth decay regardless of other influencing factors, though!
5) Prevents Tooth Discoloration
Discoloration of teeth is often caused by excessive consumption of certain foods/drinks like coffee or tea, which contain pigments known as ‘tannins’ which stick onto enamel over time and cause discoloration if not eradicated adequately with regular cleaning sessions (brushing & flossing).
Smoking cigarettes also leads to significant discoloration, so avoiding these activities altogether (or cutting down on them if you partake!) should help keep your pearly whites looking sparkly and white for longer!
6) Reduces Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke
Keeping your mouth clean isn’t just good for your smile. Research suggests that it could even reduce the risk of heart disease & stroke too! This link exists because poor oral hygiene has been linked with a bacterium found in both conditions. So making sure all areas of your mouth are free from hard-to-reach plaque (by brushing & flossing regularly!) is essential for maintaining both emotional & physical well-being!
7) Boosts Confidence
Having confidence in yourself goes far beyond simply having perfect teeth & gums – but it certainly doesn’t hurt either! Whether at work or socially speaking, having a great set of healthy pearly whites helps you feel more confident about yourself during conversations, etc., and knowing that you look good also helps!
8) Helps Keep Your Jaw Healthy
Improving oral health can also help keep our jaw muscles healthy! Overuse & strain on these muscles can cause painful TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). This affects chewing and speaking abilities.
So keeping those jaw muscles fit by brushing & flossing regularly will make sure they get enough exercise without risking extension. Plus, they’ll thank you later!!
9) Promote Overall Health
Good oral hygiene can have a significant impact on overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to oral infections, spreading to other parts of the body and causing health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia. Maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent these problems and promote overall health.
10) Prevent Tooth Loss
Tooth loss can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and lead to other oral health problems. Good oral hygiene can help prevent tooth loss and maintain healthy teeth.
11) Save Money On Dental Treatments
Preventive dental care is much less expensive than restorative care. By taking care of your oral health through regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, you can save money on costly dental treatments such as fillings, root canals, and dentures.
12) Enjoy Delicious Foods
Good oral health allows you to enjoy the taste and texture of all your favorite foods without discomfort or pain. Taking care of your oral health will enable you to maintain healthy teeth and gums and enjoy your favorite foods without worry.
In Summary
Keeping up with routine oral hygiene may seem tedious at times. But considering how beneficial it is both emotionally & physically – making time for it shouldn’t be so much trouble after all.
