Good dental hygiene is important for many reasons. It helps prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. It also helps you keep your teeth and gums healthy. A healthy mouth means a healthier body. That's because oral health is linked to your overall health. Poor oral health can cause problems like infections, which can lead to other health problems. Dental care is important for everyone, but it's especially important for people with certain medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease. That's why it's important to see a dentist regularly.

What is dental hygiene?

Dental hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and free of disease. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash. It also involves visiting your Palo Alto dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. Good dental hygiene habits should be started at an early age and carried throughout your life. 

Why is dental hygiene important?

There are many reasons why dental hygiene is important. Perhaps the most obvious reason is that it helps prevent bad breath. Bad breath can be embarrassing and make it hard to socialize with others. Other reasons include preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Tooth decay is the process of bacteria breaking down tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can damage the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Gum disease can sometimes lead to tooth loss. Dental hygiene is also important for overall health. Oral health is linked to overall health, so maintaining good dental hygiene habits can help you avoid other health problems down the road. 

Dental hygiene is also tied to overall body health. If, for instance, there is an infection within your mouth, your bloodstream could transmit the bacteria to different areas in your body which can lead to other health issues like stroke and heart disease. Maintaining your gums and teeth in good shape is an essential part of maintaining your overall health for a long time.

How to practice good dental hygiene

Achieving healthy teeth requires many years of dedication. Even when you've been told you have beautiful teeth, you must do the right thing every day to care for the teeth and avoid issues. This includes obtaining the appropriate dental care products, and being aware of your routine

Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth - It's not a secret that the standard advice is to brush every day at least twice. However we tend to not brush our teeth in the evening. Brushing our teeth prior to bed can get rid of the bacteria and plaque that build up throughout the day.

Brush properly - The method you use to brush your teeth is equally important. In fact, not doing a good brushing technique is nearly as bad in the same way as never brushing. Make sure to take your time and move your toothbrush with gentle circular motions to get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden which can lead to the buildup of calculus along with gingivitis (early gum disease).

Don’t neglect your tongue - Plaque may also form in your mouth. This can cause bad breath however, it could also result in other oral health issues. Make sure to gently brush your tongue each time you clean your teeth.

Use a fluoride toothpaste - When you're looking for toothpaste, there are more crucial factors to consider more than just whitening power and flavor. Whichever type you pick, make sure that the toothpaste contains fluoride. While fluoride is under the scrutiny of those who are concerned about the impact it has on other aspects of health, it is still a major component of oral health. This is because it is the most effective defense for tooth decay. It fights bacteria that could cause tooth decay and creating a barrier of protection for your teeth.

Treat flossing as important as brushing - Most people who brush regularly fail to floss. Flossing should not be only for getting tiny pieces of broccoli or food that might be stuck between your teeth.It's really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area. Flossing once a day is usually enough to reap these benefits.

Consider mouthwash - Mouthwash advertisements suggest that it is essential to maintain good oral health, however, many people avoid them because they aren't sure the way they work. Mouthwash is beneficial to improve three aspects: It lowers the level of acid that is present in the mouth, it cleans difficult to brush areas of the gums. It also also remineralizes the teeth. In children and older people, where the ability to brush and floss may not be ideal, a mouthwash is particularly helpful."

See your dentist Palo Alto at least twice a year - Your daily habits are essential to your overall oral health. Even the most diligent flossers and toothbrushers must visit a dentist on a regular basis. At a minimum, you must visit your dentist for cleanings and exams at least twice per year. The dentist can not only take away calculus and check to look for cavities and other dental issues, but they'll also be able to identify possible issues and provide treatments. Some dental insurance companies even cover more frequent dental checkups. If you are one of them, you, you should take advantage of it. This is particularly beneficial in the case of an history of dental problems such as gingivitis, and frequent dental cavities.

Conclusion

Dental hygiene is important for many reasons—it helps prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and it also helps you maintain good overall health since oral health is linked to overall health. Practicing good dental hygiene habits starts at home with daily brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash as needed; but it doesn't stop there—you should also visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups (most dentists recommend every 6 months). So next time you're thinking about skipping out on brushing your teeth or making that dentist appointment, remember why taking care of your teeth is so important!

 

Marisa Walker DDS

150 Middlefield Rd #101, Menlo Park, CA 94025

(650) 328-2072