The Importance Of Dental Hygiene
Since we were young children, we have been warned repeatedly about the dangers of neglecting our teeth. We all know the steps involved in practicing proper dental hygiene, but how many of us actually practice these important habits like we are supposed to? Despite consistent warnings from our dentist about the dangers of cavities, tooth decay and gum disease, only 50% of Americans floss daily and almost 19% of Americans don't even floss at all.
Proper dental hygiene is a combination of maintaining good dental habits at home and visiting the dentist regularly for professional cleanings. We are all advised to brush our teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. These habits are necessary to avoid potentially serious health conditions like gum disease and tooth decay.
By brushing and flossing the recommended number of times a day, we avoid plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky buildup of harmful bacteria that surrounds our teeth and gums. This bacteria eventually leads to tooth decay which can result in the complete loss of a tooth if left untreated. Tooth decay has even been linked to heart disease if left untreated.
Plaque can also lead to gum disease. This is a condition in which the bacteria inflames the gums, making them bleed easily and swell. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to an infection which can spread throughout the body and become very dangerous.
In addition to practicing good tooth hygiene at home, it is crucial that you get annual dental cleanings. A licensed dental hygienist can prevent and treat dental problems that cannot simply be addressed by brushing and flossing.
Only a dental hygienist can properly remove tartar from your teeth. Tartar is a hardened plaque which coats teeth and gum lines with dangerous bacteria. A dental hygienist has special tools which can remove tartar easily, preventing serious diseases and complications from developing.
Regular dental cleanings will also brighten your smile. We consume many substances which stain our teeth, such as coffee, red wine and tobacco. While brushing our teeth helps keep our teeth clean, it's not enough to prevent these stains from affecting the color of our teeth. A dental hygienist can use their special tools to remove these stains and make your teeth appear whiter than before.
Another reason that regular dental cleanings are so important is that your dental hygienist can spot issues that you may not be aware of. Some of us may have cavities developing which we can't see when we look in the mirror, or signs of gum disease which we cannot feel. A dental hygienist will be able to spot any signs of problems so that they can be treated by a dentist before they become more dangerous.
Proper tooth hygiene is a necessary way to prevent more serious problems down the road. By combining good dental habits at home with regular dental cleanings, you will keep yourself healthy and prevent painful, expensive and dangerous issues such as tooth decay and gum disease.
If it's time for your annual cleaning, contact Three Fountains Dentistry in Holladay today.
