3 Reasons Good Dental Hygiene is So Important

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Did you know that the bacteria in your mouth can spread to other parts of your body and make you sick? Whether it’s an abscess tooth spreading infection into your bloodstream or gum disease that can harm your bones, what’s going on in your mouth doesn’t always stay there. If you thought brushing and flossing were just ways to get a bright white smile, think again. Good dental hygiene can keep your teeth and gums healthy and help prevent oral diseases from spreading to other parts of your body.

1. Dental Hygiene Keeps Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Everything you eat, drink, and chew can affect your teeth and gums. When food particles and sugars combine with bacteria and mucus, it forms plaque, a sticky substance that can erode your tooth enamel and cause cavities and gum disease. Good dental hygiene, that includes regular brushing and flossing, can remove plaque from your teeth, leaving you with healthy teeth and gums, and a confident smile.

2. It Can Prevent Oral Diseases

Proper oral hygiene can also prevent the onset of dental diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that causes them to swell, turn red, and bleed. It can be reversed through regular brushing and flossing, but if it’s not caught early on, it can turn into periodontitis. This is a more serious oral disease that can cause your gums to recede and your teeth to loosen and fall out or become extremely sensitive. You can prevent these diseases through daily care as well as regular visits to the dentist. Your dentist can detect these diseases, as well as other oral issues such as vitamin deficiencies, tooth grinding, and oral cancer.

3. Dental Hygiene Can Affect Your Overall Health

Plaque and bacteria have been linked to serious diseases and health conditions, which is why it’s so important to keep your mouth healthy and clean. According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s a connection between your oral health such health problems as:

  • Endocarditis
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Pregnancy and birth complications
  • Pneumonia

If you suffer from periodontitis and don’t get it treated, it might actually increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. In turn, certain conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease can take a toll on your oral health. Make good dental hygiene a habit to keep both your mouth and body healthy.

Tips for Good Dental Hygiene

What is good oral hygiene? To start, you should brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Here are a few other tips:

  • Don’t Scrub—Don’t brush too harshly or use a brush with hard bristles because it can hurt your gums. Instead, brush gently in a circular motion. Tilt the brush at an angle and aim toward the area where the teeth meet your gums.
  • Brush for Two Minutes—Don’t brush for less than two minutes. Include all surfaces of your teeth as well as your tongue.
  • Avoid Sugary Snacks—Eat healthy and try to avoid sugary foods that stick to your teeth.

If you do eat something with sugar, rinse your mouth out afterward. Most importantly, schedule regular dental exams to keep your oral health in check. If oral health is something you want to learn more about, or if you want to teach others how to practice good dental hygiene, you may be interested in a career as a Dental Assistant. At Charter College, we offer a Certificate in Dental Assisting that can prepare you for this career in as few as 10 months. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.