A lot of us know that we are supposed to brush our teeth but we still struggle to drag a brush over our teeth daily.
You may not notice the damage that you do to your teeth and gums every time you neglect oral hygiene.
What Happens When You Neglect Your Teeth?
Periodontal diseases have become more common over the years, partly due to the increase in bad diets and easy access to unhealthy foods. Foods containing carbohydrates and sweets have adverse effects on the teeth. When you forget to brush your teeth, you worsen the effects of these foods on the teeth.
Food debris and particles combine to form plaque which collects in little pockets around the gum line. Plaque irritates gum tissues which can cause you a lot of problems.
Let’s look at some of the effects of poor oral hygiene:
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), good oral hygiene practices involve; brushing your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and before bedtime. Flossing regularly, after each meal and before you sleep, visiting your dentist for professional teeth cleaning and check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet.
The technique you employ in brushing your teeth is also of great significance. The proper way to do it is to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and brush the source of your teeth in an up-down motion. Also, clean the inside surfaces and the tongue with a sweeping motion, brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth and pay particular attention to the back teeth and the gum line.You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes
Dental health professionals recommend the use of soft -bristle or electric toothbrushes for brushing the teeth, toothbrushes with hard bristles may slowly wear off tooth enamel and injure gum tissues. Brushing your teeth with an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride is also crucial, the fluoride in the toothpaste makes the brushing process more efficient in removing plaque.
Another important part of oral care is toothbrush hygiene; you should replace your toothbrush every three months or as soon as it begins to show signs of wear. You should also replace the toothbrush after a cold or after treating a mouth infection.
Why You Should Brush Your Teeth
By brushing your teeth regularly, you can prevent a whole lot problems. You avoid bacteria build up in the mouth, fight off gum disease, cavities, halitosis, teeth stains, you also reduce your risks of certain degenerative health problems such as dementia, strokes, respiratory issues and heart attacks.
For teeth stains removal, read our guide on how to get rid of teeth stains.
When you maintain proper oral care and a good oral hygiene routine, you save yourself the cost of professional dental care that you may otherwise incur when you have oral health problems. As for making your teeth pearly white, there are natural ways such as strawberry teeth whitening.
A lot of us know that we are supposed to brush our teeth but we still struggle to drag a brush over our teeth daily. You may not notice the damage that you do to your teeth and gums every time you neglect oral hygiene. Although most people don’t floss as they should, not brushing can have dramatic effects.
What Happens When You Neglect Your Teeth?
Periodontal diseases have become more common over the years, partly due to the increase in bad diets and easy access to unhealthy foods. Foods containing carbohydrates and sweets have adverse effects on the teeth. When you forget to brush your teeth, you worsen the effects of these foods on the teeth.
Food debris and particles combine to form plaque which collects in little pockets around the gum line. Plaque irritates gum tissues which can cause you a lot of problems. Let’s look at some of the effects of poor oral hygiene;
Bad breath
Stale or bad breath can occur due to several reasons, gum diseases, tooth decay or not brushing your tongue. Most of the bacteria responsible for mouth odor stay on the tongue when you do not brush your tongue, you give the bacteria free reign.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that can range from mild to severe cases. The disease causes your gum to be tender, red or swollen; the gum might also bleed when you brush your teeth or floss. Gingivitis may also cause bad breath.
Tooth Decay
Another common problem that happens when you do not practice good oral care. Tooth decay is also known as cavities or caries. If your diet is high in sugar, you are at risk for tooth decay, another cause of tooth decay is bacteria in the mouth. When plaque around the gum hardens, it forms tartar which then converts sugar into acid. The acid breaks down the structure of the tooth, forming holes called cavities. If left untreated, cavities can cause pain, bad breath, tooth abscesses and tooth loss – the only way to solve these issues are if you get dentures, other fake teeth, or visit a cosmetic dentist.
Periodontitis
When you do not treat your gingivitis, it can get much worse. Periodontitis is a severe stage of gingivitis, it causes the gum around the affected tooth to pull away, and the space in between the gum and teeth becomes infected. Bacteria release toxins that break down the tissue and bones surrounding the teeth causing the teeth to remove or become loose.
Other health problems have been linked to poor oral hygiene. Respiratory problems, heart attacks, and strokes are some of these problems. Researchers state that mouth bacteria and gum inflammation can lead to inflammation of the arteries and dangerous clotting. According to a study in the Journal of Periodontology, people who inhale bacteria from gum disease may develop respiratory problems.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), good oral hygiene practices involve; brushing your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and before bedtime. Flossing regularly, after each meal and before you sleep, visiting your dentist for professional teeth cleaning and check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet.
The technique you employ in brushing your teeth is also of great significance. The proper way to do it is to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and brush the source of your teeth in an up-down motion. Also, clean the inside surfaces and the tongue with a sweeping motion, brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth and pay particular attention to the back teeth and the gum line.You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes
Dental health professionals recommend the use of soft -bristle or electric toothbrushes for brushing the teeth, toothbrushes with hard bristles may slowly wear off tooth enamel and injure gum tissues. Brushing your teeth with an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride is also crucial, the fluoride in the toothpaste makes the brushing process more efficient in removing plaque.
Another important part of oral care is toothbrush hygiene; you should replace your toothbrush every three months or as soon as it begins to show signs of wear. You should also replace the toothbrush after a cold or after treating a mouth infection.
Why You Should Brush Your Teeth
By brushing your teeth regularly, you can prevent a whole lot problems. You avoid bacteria build up in the mouth, fight off gum disease, cavities, halitosis, teeth stains, you also reduce your risks of certain degenerative health problems such as dementia, strokes, respiratory issues and heart attacks. When you maintain proper oral care and a good oral hygiene routine, you save yourself the cost of professional dental care that you may otherwise incur when you have oral health problems.
