03 Sep

5 Reasons Why Oral Hygiene Is Important

Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is important for more than just a beautiful smile. Regularly taking care of your teeth, gums, and tongue keeps your mouth and the rest of your body healthy. At Lifetime Family Dental, we aim to help you keep your oral health in the best possible shape. Read on to find out how taking care of your dental health can positively affect your overall health. 

Five Reasons Why Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene Is Important

1. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Poor oral hygiene causes tooth decay, which will severely impact your teeth and gums over time. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that also affects your teeth and jawbone, and can increase your risk of heart disease. Taking good care of your teeth prevents gum disease and reduces your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart conditions. 

2. Prevents Tooth Loss

Advanced gum disease often leads to tooth loss, which makes the rest of your teeth vulnerable to damage. Maintaining good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental visits are essential in preventing tooth loss. If you already have missing teeth, you can protect your oral health by restoring them with implants, bridges, or dentures.

3. Improves Digestion

Did you know that issues with your gut often display as symptoms in your mouth? That’s because your mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. While digestive health can impact your oral health, the reverse is also true. Dental issues like misalignment or missing teeth that affect your ability to chew also make it harder for your stomach to digest food and absorb important nutrients. 

4. Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy

Having good oral hygiene is essential during pregnancy because your dental health issues can affect your developing baby. For instance, gum disease that severely progresses during pregnancy can result in premature, underweight babies. Also, if you are experiencing tooth decay, the bacteria in your mouth can transfer to your baby during pregnancy. This can make your child more susceptible to cavities when their baby teeth grow in.  

5. Gives You a Brighter Smile

Having a clean, healthy mouth gives you a brighter smile and can boost your confidence. Tooth decay can discolor your teeth over time, making them turn brown or black. Following a good oral hygiene routine every day keeps your teeth white while protecting your health.

Elements of a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

There are many ways to maintain good oral hygiene. Regular visits to your dentist are necessary for thorough cleanings and the early detection of oral health issues. However, taking care of your teeth, gums, and tongue between visits is just as important. 

The best daily oral hygiene routine includes:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Flossing every day
• Using mouthwash
• Rinsing your mouth with water after meals
• Avoiding tobacco use
• Eating a healthy diet

Professional Teeth Cleaning in Gilbert

Scheduling regular dental appointments is an important step in your oral hygiene routine.  At Lifetime Family Dental in Gilbert, Arizona, we provide gentle cleanings and exams for the whole family. For a brighter, healthier smile, schedule a visit with us by calling 480-558-4331 today!

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/3/2021). Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels