Oral

What is Oral Hygiene?

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your teeth free from decay and your other mouth structures free from infection. This includes regular brushing and flossing. It is also highly recommended that you undergo dental exams and cleaning at least twice a year to ensure good oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene is vital to an individual’s overall health and well-being. Studies have shown that untreated oral diseases may increase the risk of adverse health conditions. Thus, maintaining good oral hygiene is important in improving your oral health and overall well-being.

Reasons Why Oral Hygiene is Important

The primary goal of oral hygiene is to prevent plaque buildup that may cause tooth decay or gum infection. Beyond your oral health, here are 5 good reasons why oral hygiene is important:

It Affects Your Overall Health

Your mouth serves as the door to the internal parts of your body. The mouth also serves as a vantage point for detecting early symptoms of systemic diseases. Systemic diseases such as diabetes, often starts to become apparent as a mouth lesion or other dental problems such as gum infection.

Research from Harvard shows that patients with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of having heart disease. According to this research, periodontal disease increases the body’s burden of inflammation. Chronic inflammation may affect many parts of the body including artery inflammation.

Aside from diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, here are other health complications caused by poor oral hygiene:

• Bacterial Pneumonia

• Infective Endocarditis

• Pregnancy Complications

• Low Birth Weight

• Cancer

• Sepsis

By keeping your teeth and mouth clean can help prevent the risks of health complications. It is also best to schedule regular dental checkups every six months to ensure good oral health and hygiene.

Earlier Detection of Oral Diseases

A salient component of proper oral hygiene is visiting your dentist at least twice a year. With your dental visits, the dentist can examine and evaluate your dental conditions regularly. Dental examinations and cleaning can help detect any oral conditions or health complications caused by oral diseases.

Prevents Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is the most common dental problem for children and adults. One of the many reasons for tooth loss is poor dental hygiene. Plaque buildup caused by poor oral hygiene may result in severe tooth decay or gum infection which, in turn, may cause tooth loss.

Regular and proper brushing and flossing can help reduce plaque buildup. However, brushing and flossing are not enough to ensure that your oral health and hygiene are in top shape, it is best to schedule professional dental cleaning 2 times a year. This is to ensure that the hard-to-reach teeth and gum lines are plaque and tartar-free.

To Have A Whiter and Brighter Smile

Do you have the confidence to flash those pearly whites?

For a healthy smile, you must practice good oral hygiene every day. Keeping your teeth plaque-free can help you smile with confidence.

Source: Locust Family Dentistry