Why It’s Important to Brush Your Teeth Daily
Brushing your teeth daily is important if you want to have sparkling pearly whites. But, did you know that good oral health is essential for overall well being? Not brushing your teeth daily could lead to health problems such as gum diseases, heart attacks and dementia! Daily brushing is a good habit everyone should have adopted from childhood.
Oral hygiene is vital and seeing a dental hygienist regularly, together with brushing your teeth twice a day, will help keep your overall health in good check. Keep reading to find out why brushing your teeth daily does more than keep your pearly whites sparkling!
Why It’s Important to Brush Your Teeth Daily
A recent U.K. study on dental hygiene revealed some shocking statistics! Did you know that 39% of young adults in the 29 to 34-year-old range brush their teeth less than once a week? The same study showed that 36% of 35 to 44-year-old adults don’t use mouthwash! It doesn’t stop there. Up to 28% of the survey’s respondents admitted to having shared their toothbrushes at least once!
With such oral hygiene shockers, no wonder dentists are sitting up and taking note, realising the importance of informing the general public about good dental care. Let’s take a look at the major health factors that can be controlled and reduced when you practice good dental hygiene.
Controlling Gum Inflammation and Disease
Brushing your teeth less than twice a day, sharing your toothbrush with others and not visiting a dentist for regular check-ups can result in gum problems. Cleaning your teeth daily helps to remove plaque, one of the main culprits responsible for gum inflammation and disease.
Gingivitis, also known as gum inflammation, can be avoided with regular brushing and flossing. It can also be prevented through dental cleaning and checkups. Periodontitis, which is another name for gum disease, is more serious and caused by bacteria growing in the mouth and found in plaque buildup. If gingivitis and periodontitis are left untreated, you can expect the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums
- Tooth decay and loss
- Receding and painful gums
- Bad breath
- Formation of deep pockets between the teeth where food can get trapped
Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening is a simple and effective way of controlling gum disease.
Mitigating the Risk of Diabetes, Heart Attacks and Strokes
Oral hygiene does matter when it comes to your heart health. While not conclusive, studies have shown that poor dental health can increase the risk of heart disease. Plaque buildup in the mouth can also release bacteria into the bloodstream, which ultimately affects the heart valves. Tooth decay and loss can also be responsible for coronary heart disease.
A survey conducted by the British Heart Foundation researcher, Professor Gerry Linden, found that people with moderate to severe gum disease were 69% more likely to get type 2 diabetes. And, diabetes is closely linked to increased heart and circulatory disease. Keeping gum disease at bay with a daily routine of brushing and flossing mitigates the risk of diabetes, heart attacks and strokes
Preventing Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
Another reason you want to start brushing your teeth daily if you’re not already doing so, is to prevent the onset of dementia and cognitive impairment in your later years. A 2021 report by the National Institute of Ageing reveals that each tooth loss increased the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia by 1.1% to 1.4%. Patients with more than 20 teeth missing increased their risk of cognitive impairment by 31%!
The older you get, the more you’ll experience poor oral health if you don’t practice good dental hygiene. To prevent losing teeth, you need to stop plaque from building up in your mouth. Cleaning your teeth after breakfast and after your evening meal is one of the easiest ways to keep plaque growth under control. Visiting a dentist for regular checkups and cleaning is also highly recommended if you want to have healthy teeth and gums as you get older.
Reducing Dental Problems During and After Pregnancy
If you don’t take care of your dental health during pregnancy you run the risk of having a premature baby or giving birth to a low-weight infant. Good oral care during pregnancy is vital for the health of both the mother and baby.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can impact your oral health. Increased estrogen and progesterone levels during this time result in more tissue sensitivity including the gums. Swollen and bleeding gums also referred to as pregnancy gingivitis, can become a problem for mothers from the second month. In most cases, it disappears after birth but getting the right dental care will help to keep the inflammation under control.
Taking simple precautions such as brushing your teeth every day prevents the following problems starting during pregnancy:
- Tooth decay
- The onset of gingivitis and periodontitis
- Loose or missing teeth
- Dental erosions
Visiting the dentist for regular checkups during your pregnancy will ensure your teeth and gums are in good health, reducing the risks of further problems developing.
Other Good Reasons For Brushing Your Teeth Daily
Besides controlling plaque growth which can result in serious health conditions as mentioned above, there are other good reasons for brushing your teeth daily:
- Fresh breath: Keeping your breath smelling fresh and clean is essential especially when engaging with other people! By removing food and bacteria in your mouth with regular brushing and flossing, you can rest assured your breath will smell clean too.
- Stain-free teeth: Regular cleaning of your teeth, as well as visits to your dentist, will help to keep your pearly whites stain-free. Using toothpaste with mild abrasives such as calcium carbonate and phosphate salts, for two minutes twice a day, helps to remove stains from your teeth.
- Prevent cavities: Consuming food and drinks containing sugar can lead to tooth decay if your teeth aren’t brushed regularly. The more your tooth enamel is exposed to sugar, the more risk you have of developing cavities. Brushing your teeth after a sugary meal and visiting your dentist every six months will help to prevent cavities.
- Save money: The better your dental hygiene, the fewer chances you have of developing health conditions that could land you in the doctor’s rooms more than you can afford to. Proper oral care will save you money in the long run.
There is no reason why you should be part of the shocking statistics for poor dental hygiene! With so many good reasons to practice good oral care, why delay brushing your teeth on a daily basis?
Final Thoughts
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily may seem like a chore not worth fussing about. But, avoiding it has health implications you don’t need at any time of your life. All it takes is two minutes twice a day. You’ll see the benefits today and in the future.
Booking an appointment with your local dental hygienist every six months also goes a long way to improving your overall well being, giving you more zest for life! Give us a call at Shine Dental Clinic on 01623 629391 and let our team of clinicians help you maintain your teeth and gums for life!
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