Dental Hygiene…Why is it so important? Whole Dental Wellness

Whenever we visit the dentist, what is one of the first questions they ask you?

Dentist: Are you flossing?

Me: Yes, of course!

Dentist: Every day?

Also me: Yes! (cue to me sitting back in the chair, hoping my hygienist won’t notice the white lie I just told).

Sometimes, we tend to put things like our regular checkups on hold because life is busy. Here are some reasons why your dental health is important.

Prevention of Dental Diseases: Regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing, help remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums.

Cavity Prevention: Taking care of our teeth keeps bacteria out and can prevent the decalcification of your tooth enamel.

Gum Health: When we let things go, like flossing, brushing, and using our Waterpik, this can add up. It increases our chances of issues like gingivitis and other gum diseases. When these go untreated, our chances of tooth loss can be increased. Not to mention, it can affect other parts of our bodies.

Preservation of Teeth: Good oral hygiene can preserve your teeth. This will reduce your risk of decay, among other oral health issues.

Overall Health: Research has proven that there is a link between our bodily health and our oral health. What does that mean? How you take care of your oral health reflects on the rest of your body. Poor oral hygiene and untreated dental issues can add to other issues of the heart, respiratory infections, and diabetes, to name a few.

Cost Savings: Although dental treatment can be costly, keeping up with your dental appointments and taking care of your oral hygiene at home will keep your costs down. The better care you take of your oral health, the less money you will have to put into your mouth in the long run.

To maintain good dental hygiene, you should:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes
• Floss daily
• Limit sugary and acidic foods and drink
• Visit your dentist regularly

Questions? Come check us out! We promise, no judgment, only supportive love.