Good oral hygiene is important for a number of reasons, for example preventing gum disease and tooth decay. However, there are now reports that having good oral hygiene can actually save your life. There are a number of studies suggesting that gum disease opens the door to life-threatening illnesses, so brushing your teeth is extremely important to keep the disease at bay.
The importance of brushing and flossing
Not only does daily brushing and flossing keep your teeth looking lovely and white, it also helps to combat bad breath, remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums and hugely reduce the risk of gum disease. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, bacteria will gather inside the mouth and combine with leftover food particles, forming plaque. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
How oral health links to general health
Gum disease and tooth decay are not the only thing to worry about if you don’t take care of your oral hygiene. The bacteria that cause gum disease are also responsible for increasing the risk of systematic illnesses such as strokes and heart disease. It is believed by researchers that harmful bacteria can travel to other parts of the body from the mouth, increasing the risk of serious health issues.
Preventing gum disease
As well as sticking to a thorough daily oral hygiene routine, you should also keep an eye on your diet and have regular check-ups with your dentist. We also recommend regular dental hygiene sessions to keep your mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria.
Another risk factor for gum disease is smoking. Smoking reduces the flow of blood to the gums. Giving up smoking will greatly reduce your risk of getting gum disease as well as being highly beneficial for your overall health. At Clifton Dental Studio, we are happy to offer constructive advice to anyone who is looking to quit smoking.
If you have any questions about oral hygiene, from choosing which brush to use to learning more about tooth decay, give us a call today.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
