We know to brush and floss our teeth daily, and while most of us have stuck to this, others have questioned why it is necessary in the first place. When we were young, it was easy to get into routines that our parents taught us without disputing them, but as we grow, we question why we do some activities, and in this case, our dental health. If you ask questions like “Is brushing daily important?” or “Why should I cut down on fast foods?” then read on to find out why it’s important and why there is a right way and a wrong way.
1. Plaque Buildup and Cavities
Plaque is sticky bacteria that forms on your teeth, feeding on leftover food particles on your teeth. If you don’t brush regularly, this plaque becomes more pronounced, becoming a visible hard-to-remove stain called tartar.
Tartar makes your teeth less appealing, rubbing your teeth of their white glow but also causes something worse called cavities. Cavities happen when the hardened bacteria wear down the enamel (hard outer layer of the teeth), reaching the nerves and damaging them.
These cavities can cause a host of problems for you, including:
- Bad breath
- Loose and falling tooth
- Bleeding gums
- Difficulty in eating
Cavities may be problematic, but that does not mean you have to live with it forever! You can opt for dental implants in Colorado Springs to fix up your smile. To prevent plaque, brush your teeth twice a day; ideally, make it the last thing you do before going to bed and the first thing you do when you wake up. Floss or use mouthwash daily as this gets to areas the brush cannot reach and finally, make sure you change your toothbrush regularly. Once every three or four months will do.
2. Early Detection of Other Ailments
It’s easy to get caught up in life. As an adult, you have responsibilities, bills to pay, appointments to get to, a family to care for, and money to earn. Being busy has also affected how we eat, preferring fast foods or ready-made meals rich in carbs and sugar to fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. All of this is a function of the society we currently live in, but this should not stop us from seeing a dentist.
A visit to your local dentist can save your life, which is why frequent visits are a must. Prevention is better than cure, and as the Riccarton, New Zealand-based dentists at Boutique Dental state, seeing a dentist regularly helps them detect early signs of heart or kidney-related diseases, as these signs can show on your teeth. You may be busy, but that does not mean you should not take care of your body, including your teeth. Make sure you book an appointment with your dentist at least twice a year.
3. The Dangers of Sugar
Fast foods are delicious, and drinking a cold Coke or Pepsi on a hot day can bring a feeling of refreshment that words cannot describe. Sorry to be the party pooper but, both are bad for your teeth. The major problem is sugar, either in its simple sweet form, like with sugar in a bottle of Coke, or its complex starch form like the bun bread used to make a fast food burger.
Sugar is the food particle bacteria feed on that causes plaque on your teeth and tongue. While you may treat yourself to your cravings from time to time, it is best to reduce your fast food and soda intake as much as possible to keep a healthy set of white teeth.
One way to battle the plague left by sugary food is to choose a toothpaste with fluoride, as research shows it is very effective against bacteria-causing plaques and strengthens the teeth.
4. Enjoy Your Social Life and Social Gatherings
A smile is one of the most attractive features of a person, and having pearly white teeth can make your smile even more charming. Social gatherings, parties, or even meetings are what we engage in daily and, even with the pandemic, there are still Zoom meetings where you have to show your face.
Properly taking care of your teeth will give you the confidence to smile, laugh, and speak during dates, family get-togethers, or parties with friends. You won’t be worried about your teeth hurting you or being loose at their root. It can lead to a healthier lifestyle full of confidence in yourself.
Maintaining healthy teeth is always a plus for you. There is no known downside to properly flossing, using mouthwash, and brushing daily. Keeping up with dentist appointments as a preventive measure instead of a corrective is often cheaper and, who knows, maybe it will even save your life. It is worth noting that keeping your teeth strong during your younger years will help during your old age. Teeth wear down with age, so it’s best to keep them as healthy as possible.
