Good oral health relies on diligent care and maintenance of your teeth and gums. This will mean brushing your teeth and flossing regularly at home and attending regular cleanings and exams with your dentist. Skipping this oral healthcare can put you in danger of structural, functional, and aesthetic issues in your smile.
You can feel more encouraged to schedule your next dental check-up and stick to a consistent oral hygiene regimen when you know more about the benefits of this dental attention. Discover why you should make time for oral hygiene both at home and at your dentist’s office when you read on.
Reduce Your Risk of Serious Dental Complications
Your mouth naturally carries bacteria, and oral bacteria will spread across your teeth throughout your day. Particles from the foods and beverages you consume will also cling to your teeth and encourage this bacterial spread. Bacteria will create a film called plaque that will eat away at your dental structure if not removed in a timely fashion.
This weakening in your teeth will put you in danger of cavities and other dental issues. Plus, excess bacteria will heighten your risk of oral infections like gum disease. These problems will require treatment from a dentist to get rid of. If left unchecked, they could lead to serious, irreversible damage, such as tooth loss.
To prevent these problems, you will want to remove residues from your smile by adhering to a thorough and consistent oral hygiene regimen. This should involve brushing your teeth twice a day, in the morning and evening. You should also floss on a daily basis. You may want to consider using mouthwash as well.
These at-home oral hygiene efforts can leave some plaque and other residues on your teeth that a toothbrush cannot always reach. To address this problematic build-up, you should visit your dentist for a professional dental cleaning.
During these appointments, the dentist will also perform an oral exam. They can identify early signs of potential issues and treat them before they become severe.
Skipping these appointments may make your smile vulnerable to these oral health concerns. A dental emergency, which may include intense tooth pain, could require extensive dental work to fix. This may be expensive and invasive. So take measures to prevent the need for this, like keeping up with preventive dentistry efforts.
Maintain a Beautiful Smile
If your teeth suffer structural damage, like enamel erosion or tooth decay, you might see flaws develop in your smile’s appearance. A weakened dental structure might make you more likely to form dark stains on your teeth. You could also see yellowing in your tooth color if enamel wears down to expose the tooth’s sensitive interior.
If you contract gum disease, the gum tissue might look puffy, red, and irritated, further disrupting your smile aesthetics. You might require cosmetic dental solutions to get your smile looking good again. But you can preserve your smile’s natural beauty when you keep your teeth strong and healthy with proper preventive dental care.