Source: Dr. Marketing

Are you seeing red in the sink after brushing? As in, do you notice intensely red gums staring back at you when you open wide in front of the mirror, or an unsightly blood-specked sink after your brushing and flossing wraps up? Seems, then, that you are guilty of leaving your teeth to fend for themselves and, without your commitment and cooperation, a dentist can only perform so much miraculous heroics when you saunter in for a checkup. Time to better prioritize your oral health, before the lack of care catches up with you and irreversible, permanent issues take over. 

Why Should You Take Care Of Your Teeth 



A Healthy, Long-Enjoyed Smile: looking after your teeth, you help reduce the risk of concerns such as dental decay and gum disease, both of which can lead to tooth loss. Research has proven that the number of teeth a patient has is largely pivotal in how long they ultimately live. Patients with 20 teeth or more at the age of 70 are likely to experience a greater quality of life than those with less than 20 teeth. 

Diminish The Risk Of Disease: if you have not been taking care of your teeth regularly, invariably, your gums have been neglected as well. A patient with gum disease can suffer further, as the bacteria in the mouth might enter the bloodstream, producing a protein that thickens the blood. As a result, blood clots are a more possible outcome, depriving the heart of the nutrients and oxygen that it requires. Heart disease and heart attacks are increasingly possible under these circumstances, while gum disease can also cause an inflammation of the blood vessels that prevent the blood supply from comfortably reaching the brain, leading to a potential stroke. Also, patients with gum disease are more vulnerable to diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Helps Avoid Cancer & Dementia: keeping your teeth and gums healthy, lowers the risk factor of certain cancers and forms of dementia. Lessening the cancer threat is particularly applicable to women, with research examining data from 65,000 post-menopausal women between the ages of 54 and 86, discovering that those with a history of gum disease were 14 percent more likely to develop cancer. One in three of these women encountered breast cancer and had a greater risk of developing lung, esophageal, gall bladder, and skin cancers. All patients, male and female, with healthy gums, are 70 percent less likely to experience Alzheimer's disease than those who have dealt with gum disease for a significant period. 

Maintain Your Appearance: we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge how healthy, clean teeth sustain our appearance. Bad breath is very common for those who treat their teeth poorly, generally the consequence of plaque build-up and a symptom of tooth decay. Tooth staining, another disastrous possibility, is a natural progression that occurs due to excessive consumption of cigarettes, tea, coffee, or red wine. Although stained teeth are not harmful per se, they can be bothersome to your perception of appearance. 

How To Create An Oral Care Routine 

Brush & Floss: brushing and flossing are the two linchpins for any oral care routine. More specifically, you are advised to brush twice per day and floss once. That's not all; the uncompromising rule of thumb is to brush for two minutes each time, using good fluoride toothpaste. Use small, circular movements on every area of the teeth and ensure that you don't over brush because that can harm your teeth and gums, causing gum recession. Electric toothbrushes, in addition to providing a superior clean to that of a manual, are now equipped with timers and pressure sensors to help you out on both fronts. 

Brush At The Right Time: your teeth are at their most vulnerable immediately after processing food or drinks since the sugars lower the pH level in the mouth, creating an acidic effect. This causes dental decay and when you are considering brushing straight away, think again. Brushing too soon could impact small amounts of already-loosened enamel from the acid attack, a reaction that takes about an hour to neutralize. Wait at least an hour after eating or drinking before picking up the toothbrush. 

Limit Sugar & Acid Intake: sugary and acidic treats, for those patients unwilling to fully abstain, are best combined as part of a meal. Snacking or sipping on sugary products throughout the day, you only put your teeth in a predicament where they are constantly under an acidic ambush. Regardless of how much you consume, it is recommended that you add them with a meal and then give your teeth ample time to recover. 

Extra Advice For Certain Dental Issues

Sensitive Teeth: pain and discomfort from hot or cold products can be the result of gum disease, receding gums, a cracked tooth, a worn-down filling or crown, or the consequence of a root canal procedure. There are also patients with naturally sensitive teeth due to thinner enamel, though, in most cases, this can be treated with a simple change in your toothpaste and mouthwash. 

Gum Disease (Gingivitis): an inflammation of your gums, gingivitis typically stems from plaque build-up on your teeth thanks to dismal brushing and flossing habits. Swelling and bleeding gums often await when you brush or floss, but there is good news; you can still combat gingivitis with improved oral care and your dentist's assistance. Otherwise, untreated gingivitis can morph into periodontitis, a more severe infection, and that spells trouble. 

Oral Cancers: the gums, tongue, cheek, lips, and floor of the mouth can all be susceptible to cancer. While your dentist will usually be the one to recognize and confirm any oral cancer, tobacco use is the predominant reason behind such a diagnosis. All dentists will hasten to suggest that patients promptly quit. 

You've been empowered with the necessary knowledge; now's the moment to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment. For all of your efforts in improving tooth care, you will still need the trained eye of a dental professional, as they can evaluate your mouth, possibly undo any harm that you have experienced, and arm you with additional information on how to keep your teeth in a healthy state. 

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