It’s safe to say that almost all of us think we’ve got our oral hygiene nailed. We brush twice a day and many of us understand the importance of trying, where possible, to avoid corrosive sugary foods and drinks which can cause our teeth to decay. That’s good enough, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, brushing alone isn’t enough to keep our mouths healthy and clean. By their very nature, our teeth see a lot of nasty bacteria on a daily basis from the foods which we eat. This means that it is vital that we keep our mouths as clean as possible, to prevent bacteria from building up to dangerous levels. This means dropping by the dentist for regular checks. If you’re looking for a reputable one, visit https://www.tysonswestortho.com/ for more information.
How Do You Keep Your Mouth Clean, Then?
Keeping your mouth clean really isn’t that hard. Brushing twice a day is great as it will remove the external surface plaque, but it cannot dislodge debris from in between your teeth. Furthermore, frequent brushing with the same toothbrush will cause the bristles to fray over time, making them less effective at dislodging plaque and this can even deposit built-up bacteria into your mouth, rather than taking it out. Furthermore, brushing the plaque around your mouth alone isn’t enough—you may spit most of it out, but some will be leftover on your gums, your tongue, your cheeks and your teeth.
In order to rectify these issues, you should always use dental floss—to remove plaque and debris from in between your teeth, where the brush can’t reach—and then swill out your mouth with mouthwash in order to get as much of the bacteria out of your mouth if possible. Always try to change your toothbrush every few months as well to ensure that the bristles are in good condition and of course, do find a good dentist close to your location, like a dentist in Hammersmith if you’re in or around London.
What Are The Dangers Of Poor Oral Hygiene?
A buildup of plaque from poor oral health and hygiene routines is actually a thick layer of bacteria colonies—so do we really need to explain the importance of ensuring that you don’t let plaque stick around? It is interesting to note that your saliva does provide a degree of defense against these bacteria, but that alone will not be able to control the growth of harmful pathogens in your mouth.
This can lead to some really unpleasant gum diseases including gingivitis, trench mouth and periodontitis, to name a few. Whilst bacteria from your mouth rarely make it into your circulatory system, a wound can allow for direct access into your bloodstream which may allow bacteria to proliferate inside your body. In a healthy individual, these will be easily dispatched—but in an already compromised person whose body is fighting another infection, these oral bacteria can cause tremendous damage in other parts of your body.
How Can I Change?
Forming new habits as a part of your oral care routine is a really easy task to undertake. Ensuring that you take the extra time to remove plaque and debris from your mouth will help to prevent the growth of bacteria in your mouth, thus helping to keep you fit and healthy and ensure that your smile is always stunning! If your teeth aren’t feeling overly well looked after and aren’t as white as you’d like, My Image Dental in Stockton can help you find your confidence again!
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