Taking good care of your mouth and teeth. Why ?

A healthy mouth is a healthy body, your mouth is a window into what's going on in the rest of your body, often serving as a helpful vantage point for detecting the early signs and symptoms of systemic disease, a disease that affects or pertains to your entire body, not just one of its parts.

If you don't brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth clean, plaque can build up along your gumline, creating an environment for additional bacteria to accumulate in the space between your gums and your teeth. This gum infection is known as gingivitis, left unchecked, gingivitis can lead to a more serious gum infection called periodontitis. The most severe form of gum infection is called acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, also known as trench mouth.

Bacteria from your mouth normally don't enter your bloodstream. However, invasive dental treatments  sometimes even just routine brushing and flossing if you have gum disease can provide a port of entry for these microbes. Medications or treatments that reduce saliva flow and antibiotics that disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth can also compromise your mouth's normal defenses, allowing these bacteria to enter your bloodstream.

That sticky covering is called plaque, and is actually the product of mouth bacteria mixing with the food you eat. That bacteria-infested plaque eventually becomes an acidic substance that erodes the hard tooth enamel that covers each tooth and seeps into the soft pulpy tooth center. When that happens, bacteria goes crazy and starts the process of internal and external tooth decay.  

Cavities are highly common in our patients, which is the reason we provide diagnostic and preventative care to stop cavities before they start, we also employ regular dental cleanings and x-rays to detect small changes in your teeth that come from the effects of bacteria. We suggest dental cleanings at least twice a year to keep your mouth extra clean from plaque and tartar buildup.

The amazing thing about mouth bacteria is that research and study has shown that up to 700 different strains of bacteria have been found in the human mouth. Sounds kind of gross, right? Except not all bacteria is bad! And most people generally only have between 34 and 72 different bacteria strains instead of the full 700. We actually need some bacteria in the mouth to break down the food we eat so that the digestive system can work properly. So we need some bacteria. 

Things to consider :

When you don’t regularly take good care of your teeth and mouth, you could experience the following problems.

Cavities. Cavities are caused by tooth decay. Your teeth can decay when you don’t brush and floss them regularly to get leftover food off of them. If left untreated, cavities can cause tooth pain, can cause your tooth to become infected, and can even lead to tooth loss.

Gum disease.Gum disease happens when plaque collects along your gum line. Gum disease is an infection of the tissue that supports your teeth. It can cause teeth to become loose over time. There is also evidence that gum disease is related to heart disease. Experts aren’t sure if gum disease makes you more likely to have heart disease or vice versa.

Oral cancer.Smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol can increase your risk for oral cancer (cancer in your mouth). Poor oral hygiene alone may not increase your risk for oral cancer. When you combine it with any other risk factor, though, it dramatically boosts your chances of getting cancer. 

Poor self-esteem.When your teeth aren’t clean, you have bad breath. Bad breath can make you feel uncomfortable at work, school, and in social situations. This can make you reluctant to participate. Longtime poor oral health can result in tooth loss, which can make you smile less. All of these things can damage your self-esteem, or how you see yourself.  

If you have mouth or tooth pain, don’t ignore it. See a doctor or a dentist right away. The longer you wait, the worse it could be for your mouth. Also, see your dentist twice a year to get your teeth cleaned. If your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease, share this diagnosis with your medical doctor.

If you didn't already have enough reasons to take good care of your mouth, teeth and gums, the relationship between your oral health and your overall health provides even more. Resolve to practice good oral hygiene every day. You're making an investment in your overall health, not just for now, but for the future, too.

How You Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy:

Kids can take charge of their teeth by taking these steps:
-Brush at least twice a day — after breakfast and before bedtime. If you can, brush after lunch or after sweet snacks. Brushing properly breaks down plaque.
-Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Spend some time on the teeth along the sides and in the back. Have your dentist show you the best way to brush to get your teeth clean without damaging your gums.
-Take your time while brushing. Spend at least 2 or 3 minutes each time you brush. If you have trouble keeping track of the time, use a timer or play a recording of a song you like to help pass the time.
-Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles (the package will tell you if they're soft), get a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when it's time to change them.
-Ask your dentist if an antibacterial mouth rinse is right for you.
-Learn how to floss your teeth, which is a very important way to keep them healthy. It feels weird the first few times you do it, but pretty soon you'll be a pro. Slip the dental floss between each tooth and along the gumline gently once a day. The floss gets rid of food that's hidden where your toothbrush can't get it, no matter how well you brush.
-You can also brush your tongue to help keep your breath fresh!