How an Effective Preventative Dental Routine Can Help You

Though visiting a doctor or a dentist is rarely a pleasant experience that people look forward to, it’s certainly preferable to see the dentist as a matter of preventative care than it is to suffer from the myriad issues that can arise as a result of failing to follow a good dental hygiene routine, such as cavity fillings, root canals or more serious issues like periodontal disease, bone loss, and heart disease.

What Is An Effective Preventative Dental Routine?

The health of your mouth, teeth, and gums depends on your ability to keep up a daily oral care routine. This should consist of:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time to remove plaque build-up from the teeth. Use small, circular motions. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. Electric toothbrushes are particularly effective. Do not rinse after spitting out the toothpaste.
• Flossing once a day.
• Visiting a dentist every six months for cleanings.
• Avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
• Changing your toothbrush regularly, about every three months.

Some dentists will also recommend irrigating with mouthwash and brushing your tongue, though there is no consensus about the necessity of these activities. Consult your dentist for recommendations suited to your specific dental hygiene needs.

How Will Your Dental Routine Help You?

Taking care of your teeth is important for many reasons. Your teeth play a crucial role in eating, speaking, and giving your face its shape. A failure to properly care for your teeth can lead to the build-up of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the tooth. When you eat sugary or starchy foods, these bacteria produce acid, which wears down tooth enamel.

If plaque is not removed, it can harden into calculus or tartar. This can build up around the gum line and cause irritation and inflammation. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth, and the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed. As a result, you might experience tooth decay, which can cause pain, cavities, nerve abscesses, gum disease, bone loss, and tooth loss. 
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It is a lesser-known fact that plaque build-up can also lead to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. That is, dental health can significantly impact your overall health. Oral infection can cause insulin resistance, disrupting blood sugar control. This might lead to or exacerbate diabetes. 
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Gingivitis is also known to play a role in clogged arteries and blood clots, as bacteria in the mouth can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Research has shown that people with gum infections are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 
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Finally, gum disease can also lead to preterm delivery and low birth weight. It is estimated that 18% of preterm, low birth weight births in the United States each year are caused by oral infections. In light of all this, it is very much to your benefit to incorporate good dental hygiene habits into your daily life as a way to preserve your teeth as well as maintain your overall health.