How Important is Proper Dental Care?

You know the old saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover” well unfortunately we are all guilty of doing just that. Think of how you felt the last time you met someone that had poor dental hygiene, (oh how quick we are to judge,) was your first thought that, they didn’t take good care of their health or maybe they weren’t concerned about how they looked. Your smile is a major part of your overall appearance and your appearance not only impacts your personality, but also plays a major role in your self-confidence. Let’s face it, most of us don’t think much about our health until a problem arises, then we all say, “I should have exercised, I should have eaten right.”   The same holds true with your dental health. So a proper routine of flossing, brushing and regular visits to your dentist will help you maintain your overall health, and a beautiful smile.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a bacterial infection of the gums, one of the causes is plaque that accumulates around the teeth, but it is not just plaque, almost everyone has plaque on their teeth.  People with leukemia, diabetes and high blood pressure, take certain medications, that can leave the gums vulnerable to infection. But the most common cause is due to poor dental hygiene, it’s an infection most people don’t even know that it is present until they visit the dentist. Some of the signs are, bleeding after brushing and flossing, redness or puffiness of the gums, even bad breath. Sometimes there aren’t any signs at all, because it can also be painless.  There are some home remedies and treatments, but the best cure is preventative care.   Regular brushing and flossing will minimize the formation of plaque.

Bad Breath
Bad Breath or Halitosis can be caused by the breakdown of the foods we eat by the bacteria that inhabits our mouth. Bacteria is present under plaque that has formed, in the space between your teeth and on your tongue. As the food particles are broken down by the bacteria, they produce volatile sulfur compounds and gases that can give off a smell like rotten eggs. Brushing your tongue with a tongue scraper or a soft brush can help remove some of this bacteria, 50% of the problem lies on your tongue. Another leading cause is the foods you eat. Some foods have Malodorous Molecules, (garlic, onions) when ingested eventually get in your lungs, and you know what happens next.  Smoking is also a cause of bad breath, it can dry your mouth by reducing the amount of saliva that is produced. Saliva acts like a rinse, washing away bacteria and food particles that can get trapped between your teeth and on your gums. It is very important to try and brush, floss and or use a mouthwash after every meal. If you can’t brush, try eating a piece of fruit. Fruit helps to control the bacteria that forms in your mouth from eating.