Brushing your teeth to make them pearly-white shouldn’t be the only reason for cleaning them regularly. Not optimising your oral hygiene could very well have devastating effects for the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums.
Our number one mission at Apple Dental goes beyond treating your dental issues. We also aim to provide you with the tools and tips you need to take better care of your oral health. So where do you start when it comes to taking better care of your teeth? Read on to find out.
What happens if I neglect my teeth?
The best advice the Pinner Dentist can give you, even if it’s obvious, is to brush your teeth twice a day at two to three-minute intervals. Despite this, there are many people out there who are guilty of forgetting to brush their teeth frequently.
That furry feeling you feel when you’re due for a clean, combined with an unsightly yellow coating your teeth is plaque. Plaque is a bacteria created from the food you eat that can be devastating on your teeth and gums as the germs attack and aggravate these parts of your mouth.
If you don’t take care by brushing often, you’re at high risk for contracting gum diseases or developing cavities.
Gingivitis is a type of gum disease characterised by inflamed, swollen gums that often bleed when you brush them. Fortunately, if an early diagnosis is made, gingivitis is highly curable and reversible. However, the condition can quickly advance into periodontitis if it’s left unchecked, which could result in extensive tooth and bone loss.
Ignoring a cavity and not seeking out treatment effective immediately can result in the decay spreading, which causes a plethora of dental issues. The corrosion could reach the nerves, from which excruciating pain may be experienced. At this stage our Pinner Dentist will have to perform an emergency root canal or an extraction. Further decay could result in an infection, which needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Contrary to people’s beliefs, oral health is connected to physical health. In other words, our mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, and poor oral hygiene can cause illness or exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions. For example, research has linked poor health to dementia, pneumonia, kidney disease, diabetes, and potential heart conditions.
What can I do today to improve the state of my dental health?
If you’ve noticed that the health of your mouth is in jeopardy, it’s not too late to seek out dental care from the Pinner Dentist and start practising dental hygiene best practices.
These are our top tips:
Brush your teeth as recommended and learn the correct techniques you should implement - ask our Pinner dentist for a demonstration if you’re unsure.
If you don’t yet, start flossing today. Interdental floss helps to remove food debris and plaque leftover from brushing. Flossing should be seen as mandatory, not optional or a luxury.
What you eat matters. Adjust your diet for both your oral and physical health. Limit your sweet and carb intake, drink lots of water, increase your daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and stick to lean proteins such as chicken and fish.
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