Why Dental Hygiene Shouldn't Be Skimped On

QUEENS, N.Y., Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Many people make the mistake of neglecting their dental oral hygiene, because they're busy, distracted, or just really tired at night. While you might think that you are getting away with it if you don't find yourself needing fillings when you go to the dentist, that doesn't mean that you are. Brushing your teeth, and flossing, are important parts of staying healthy.

It's common knowledge that brushing your teeth helps to prevent the build-up of bacteria, and therefore keeps your breath smelling fresh. There's more to oral care than that though, and there are many other benefits to brushing your teeth:

Take Care of Your Gums

Brushing your teeth will help to prevent gum disease. There is always the risk that your teeth will experience plaque build-up if you don't keep on top of brushing, and this can cause an accumulation of bacteria that will damage your gums. Plaque can cause gingivitis - an early warning of gum disease. If your gums bleed when you wash them, then this is a sign that you need to be more proactive with your oral care.

Improved Heart Health

One thing that a lot of people aren't aware of is that bacteria can build-up in your mouth and then travel into the bloodstream, increasing the likelihood of cholesterol building up in your arteries. This can increase the chances of a person suffering from a heart attack or a stroke.

Improved Brain Health

Another condition that has been found to be linked to poor gum health is dementia. People who have poor gum health are up to 40% more likely to develop dementia than those who take good care of their teeth.

Baby Health

Gum disease is also a worrying sign in pregnant women. The bacteria from your mouth can get into the bloodstream of your baby, and can also increase the risk of low birth weight or premature birth. For this reason, it's important to take good care of your teeth during pregnancy. Poor dental oral hygiene has been linked with impotence in men and with difficulty conceiving, so this is another reason to make an effort to be attentive.

As you can see, there are many reasons to make a point of brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing and using mouth-rinse. It's also a good idea to chew sugar-free gum throughout the day after meals, to prevent tooth decay. Regular trips to the dentist to get your teeth looked at and to make sure that they are in good condition. Your dentist may refer you to a hygienist to make sure that you don't have a build up of tartar around your gum-line. They may offer whitening services, too.

Do not use whitening creams or treatments at home, because they can damage your teeth and the damage that they cause can be lasting and difficult or impossible to repair. Some whitening creams strip the enamel. Others may bleach your teeth but while they are doing so they could cause serious damage to your gums. It makes sense to go to the dentist and let them use their treatments, which are both known to be safer, and are also generally safer simply through the context of being performed by a qualified dentist. Some dental insurance policies will cover cosmetic treatments such as whitening, but many will not. If you do have a whitening treatment and a good cleaning from the hygienist, then you should make sure that you take good care of your teeth afterwards - it will save you time, stress, money and from potentially painful treatments in the future!

If you or your loved ones want quality dental care in Queens, New York, feel free to visit Dr. Mai's dental website http://athomedental.com for more information or call to book an appointment.

SOURCE At Home Dental