Oral health goes beyond having whiter teeth and fresh breath. Your oral health has a direct link to your personality and overall health. Beyond brushing and flossing, regular visits to the dentist are recommended to help maintain the desired level of oral health. Here are five reasons why you should maintain proper oral hygiene.
1. Confidence
A healthy and brighter smile has a significant impact on your confidence. Although stained teeth are not an indication of poor oral hygiene, they can make you feel self-conscious. However, with regular oral hygiene and thorough cleaning, it is possible to remove stains. If the stains are too resistant, you can seek the help of a dentist. A brighter smile also helps you build a lasting impression with the people you meet. It can help you attract people, make friendships and unlock doors of opportunities. Once you whiten your teeth, it will breathe new life into your personality, make you feel like a new person, and people will notice your unique personality. Well-maintained oral hygiene will help you get the boost you need every time you smile.
2. Prevent Tooth Loss
Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth loss. Plaque builds up on your teeth and leads to tooth decay, gum infections, and cavities. These problems may, in turn, lead to tooth loss. Severe infection can lead to a disease known as periodontal disease, which causes bone deterioration, resulting in tooth loss. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is the best way to prevent oral bacteria that causes gum disease and tooth loss. You can achieve it through practicing regular oral health habits such as brushing and flossing. You should also attend regular cleaning and check-up appointments as recommended by your dentist.
3. Detection of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a growth or sore in the mouth that becomes abnormal and never disappears. It develops either on, under, or the base of the tongue, the throat, or the gums. Even though there are no known causes of this cancer, there are risk factors such as tobacco products and poor oral hygiene, especially for tobacco users. It can be controlled and treated upon earlier detection like my other cancer types. However, many discover this problem at its late stages, which can be catastrophic. Earlier detection can be achieved through proper oral hygiene from regular visits to the dentist. While doing the check-ups, dentists are trained to check the probability of oral cancer. Early detection will help your orthodontist NYC detect its presence and begin medication immediately.
4. Healthy Pregnancy
Taking care of your oral hygiene during pregnancy is for your benefit and the baby’s. Inflammation that is accelerated by the changing hormones in pregnant women puts them at the risk of gingivitis. If not taken care of, it can lead to periodontitis. In addition, changes in eating behaviors by a pregnant woman can lead to the risk of cavities. The worst cases happen when poor oral hygiene leads to premature birth. This premature birth can be accelerated by gum diseases that tend to raise the premature birth-inducing chemical. An underweight or preterm born baby is at risk of various complications such as asthma, birth abnormalities, and even death. It is therefore critical to maintain impeccable oral hygiene during pregnancy.
5. A Healthier Heart
You are two times more likely to develop heart-related problems with poor oral hygiene. Bacteria from the mouth travel to the bloodstream. This bacteria contains a protein that promotes clotting. If your arteries get clogged, it increases the risk of heart problems. In addition, this bacteria causes inflammation in the vessels in the cardiovascular system. In connection with cardiovascular issues, poor oral health can lead to stroke. It can be caused by clogging in the carotid artery that transfers blood to the brain and the head. Even though good oral hygiene is not proven to prevent heart disease, it is good to maintain oral hygiene to avoid the clogging of the bloodstream by bacteria from the mouth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and have regular dental check-ups to maintain proper oral hygiene.
Conclusion
Practicing proper oral health is not only an investment for your teeth but also for your overall being. You can achieve the desired oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and avoiding certain foods and products such as tobacco and sugary snacks. Make the dentist your friend and schedule regular visits and check-ups and practice these oral hygiene practices.
Author’s Bio:
Hannah Boothe is a freelance writer native to Northern California who spends her free time developing herself. Hannah enjoys the outdoors, she goes hiking whenever the weather permits and enjoys practicing yoga. She carves out time to journal and read whenever she can. She loves adventure and connecting with those around her. When Hannah was staying in New York for a little bit, she looked for an orthodontist in NYC to stay on top of her oral health too!
