Dental hygiene is something drilled into many of us at an early age. We often don’t understand the importance of it as children, but you should be well and truly up to speed as an adult. Looking after your teeth and mouth has far-reaching benefits. Read on to find out how and why.
Improve Your General Health
Your oral and general health are connected in various ways. Your mouth can signpost issues elsewhere in the body. For example, people with diabetes are often at higher risk of gum disease, oral lesions and tooth decay. Other health complications can also arise from poor dental hygiene, including heart disease, sepsis and respiratory diseases such as bacterial pneumonia.
Protect Your Teeth
Adults only get one set of natural teeth. If you lose them, there’s no growing them back and dental implants can be extremely costly. By practising good dental hygiene, you can maximise the life span of your smile and hopefully enjoy it for many decades to come.
Reduce The Risk Of Oral Disease
You can increase your chances of developing diseases such as gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer if you neglect your teeth and mouth. These conditions can lead to symptoms such as tooth loss and more serious conditions may require surgery to resolve.
Boost Your Confidence
Many people are self-conscious about their teeth and oral hygiene. By looking after yours, you can reap the rewards of higher confidence and self-esteem. This could have important impacts on your career, relationships and social life.
Save Money In The Future
The average private dental checkup costs between £40 and £100, and treatment is even more dear. So, the less you need to see the dentist, the more you’ll be able to save in the long term. Simple daily habits can truly compound to produce great results in the future.
How To Look After Your Teeth
Brushing twice a day, and properly, should be ingrained in you by now. Replacing worn toothbrushes helps to ensure that brushing is as effective as possible. Ensure you’re using quality fluoride toothpaste too.
Before you brush, flossing can help to remove built-up food and bacteria between your teeth and gums. String floss can be uncomfortable, so consider using a water flosser to keep your gums clean. Mouthwash is a useful habit throughout the day, but don’t use it straight after brushing because it can lessen the protective effects of fluoride.
Avoid eating or drinking excessive amounts of sugar if you can. An acid is formed in your mouth when your body breaks down sugar and this dissolves and decays the surface of the tooth.
