You know good dental care plays a prominent role in your oral health. But do you understand the real importance of oral hygiene? Do you realize the health effects of not taking care of your teeth?
The True Importance of Oral Hygiene
Your mouth contains more bacteria than you expect. Many of these prove harmless, especially since you keep them controlled through good daily oral care. You know that you brush and floss your teeth each day to prevent these bacteria from causing tooth decay and other problems. But what is the actual importance of oral hygiene?
The same bacteria that cause tooth and gum problems also cause health problems in other parts of your body. If you have diabetes, HIV/AIDS or other conditions, your weakened immune system makes the bacteria problem more severe. This means you need to do all you can to prevent the bacteria from running rampant.
Health Problems Caused by Poor Oral Hygiene
Recent studies prove what dentists long believed. That is, the importance of oral hygiene goes beyond prevention of dental caries, gum disease, and bad breath. Severe gum disease occurs when you do not take good care of your oral health.
This gum infection can increase inflammation throughout your body. This happens when the bacteria from your mouth enter your bloodstream through tiny oral blood vessels and capillaries. Entering your bloodstream enables these bacteria to travel all over your body, as if on a superhighway.
Conditions related to poor oral hygiene include:
- Endocarditis
- Heart disease
- Birth problems during pregnancy
- Stroke
Practicing Your Best Oral Hygiene
Seeing a dentist regularly, such as for a dental examination and teeth cleaning in Queen Creek AZ twice each year, helps you keep your whole mouth healthy. It also shows that you realize the importance of oral hygiene. Of course, you need to brush your teeth twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss your teeth properly once each day.
When you take good care of your teeth and gums, your dentist catches dental problems early. This means you have the best chance of keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. When you have healthy teeth and gums, your whole body benefits.
To enjoy your best dental health, enlist the help of an excellent preventive dentist. You find that dentist at Marketplace Dental Excellence in Queen Creek, AZ. Besides preventive dentistry, your Queen Creek dentist provides other services that include:
Never underestimate the importance of oral hygiene. The good news is that it is never too late to start improving your oral health. Even if you neglected your teeth for several years, a dental visit gets you back on the right track. Call Marketplace Dental Excellence now at 480.545.8700 for an appointment.