Oral hygiene is maintaining teeth and gums and keeping the mouth clean by brushing and flossing to keep bacteria under control. Dental hygiene is not only good for your teeth, but it has a profound effect on your body. Poor hygiene leads to tooth decay and gum disease linked to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. However, routine visits to orthodontics in Los Gatos are essential, but it is good to have a healthy oral hygiene regime for yourself.
Healthy teeth and gums are correlated with overall health, which is why you must practice good oral hygiene. Learning proper oral hygiene habits early can prevent costly dental procedures and long-term health problems.
Five Reasons to Maintain Oral Hygiene
Prevent tooth loss:
One cause of tooth loss is poor dental hygiene, and hence, it is common between children and adults. The plaque buildup due to lack of oral hygiene results in gum infection, tooth decay, and ultimately tooth loss.
Early Detection of Oral Diseases:
Visiting a dentist twice a year may help in the early detection of oral diseases. A dentist can diagnose more than just a cavity in your mouth. Other problems that a dental examination can disclose are:
- Acid reflux
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Diabetes
- Tooth grinding
- Dementia
- Heart problems
- Oral cancers, etc
Affects overall health:
Our mouth is a door to our internal body and serves as a vantage for early detection of any systemic disease. Diabetes often appears as a mouth lesion or other dental problems like gum infection.
Studies have linked heart attack and stroke to gum disease caused by poor oral hygiene. By practising proper oral hygiene and visiting a dental clinic every six months, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce your heart disease and stroke risk.
Boosts confidence:
Plaque-free and clean teeth help you smile with confidence. Poor oral hygiene also leads to bad breath in many. By maintaining oral hygiene, you can avoid bad-looking teeth and bad breath. As bad breath may indicate infection, keeping your mouth clean will remove germs that cause bad breath.
Reduces risk of oral cancer:
Studies suggest that women between the ages of 54 and 86 have a higher risk of developing cancer if they have gum disease. Gum disease also increases the risk of lung, gallbladder, and skin cancer.
Healthy mouth habits and regular dental check-ups can prevent oral cancer. Dentists inspect for any signs of cancer as part of their routine examinations.
