With the wide range of mint sprays, mouth fresheners and other minty mouthwashes present in the market today make people think that they got rid of the duty of brushing their teeth regularly but at least one time a day. Below mentioned are the top five reasons why you should brush your teeth daily no matter your age.
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Bacteria
Bacteria is produced in your mouth in a short period of time and it keeps producing after very short periods of time. When you brush your teeth twice a day, you basically destroy the bacteria from your mouth in order to make it clean. Bacteria, if left in your mouth for twenty-four hours, results in damaging the enamel of your tooth that gradually weakens the gums and roots resulting in the decay of teeth. Moreover, the removal of bacteria also results in the removal of bad breath and thus you can smile and laugh anytime.
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Production of Saliva
You sleep more saliva when you are awake and less saliva when you are asleep. The best thing about saliva is that it adds an additional layer of defense against the plaque and bacteria in your mouth that saves you from leading to the excess cavities. Brushing your teeth in the evening or before sleeping leads you to be safe from the destruction done by bacteria while you produce less saliva. Brushing your teeth makes you safe from the bad breath in the morning by removing the bacteria and acid from your mouth that has been built up overnight.
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Prevention of Tartar Build-up
When you do not brush your teeth on a daily basis, then there is a thing called Tartar that attaches itself to your teeth and it does not go away. The only way you can get rid of it is by scrapping your teeth and that is done by your dentist. Still, if it is left untreated it will result in bad gum infection that will result in excessive bleeding from gums. And it can actually damage your health, overall. If you smoke, or if you are diabetic then you are at a higher risk of getting your health destroyed by the tartar as compared to an average person.
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Protect Gums
We may think that we brush and floss our teeth in order to clean and polish our smiles, but in reality, there are many more causes than this. There are many serious issues that can occur if we won’t brush our teeth. Plaque, bacteria and tartar literally can be proved to be detrimental for your health. The most important thing you should do is to protect your gums along with protecting your teeth.
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Improved health, overall
As science has been evolving, we are finding that there are many diseases that are directly linked to oral diseases. A major lack of oral health can lead to various fatal diseases like heart diseases (cardiovascular diseases), diabetes, premature babies, low birth babies and osteoporosis.
A healthy and bright smile, explains to you more than anything that you might have thought.
Brush, Brush, Brush – And Don’t Forget to Floss!
Good dental hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth. Yes, brushing is vital to healthy teeth and gums, but you need more than a toothbrush to keep your pearly whites in great shape. One of the most important, but often neglected aspects of good dental hygiene is flossing. Flossing involves using that waxy, thread-like string to clean the parts of your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Studies have indicated that less than 50% of Americans floss on a regular basis – with a whopping 10% not flossing at all! Flossing helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay, so while it may take some extra time out of your busy schedule, you simply cannot afford to neglect this part of your dental hygiene routine. Are you one of the people that forget to floss? If you are, now is the time to make a change for the better, and here are some flossing tips to help you maintain your fabulous smile.
- There is no special type of floss that works better than the rest. Whether your floss comes ready to use in a handheld holder, or you prefer the freedom of ribbon floss, their purpose is the same – to clean between, behind, and around your teeth. Choose the floss that is easiest for you to use.
- Be gentle when flossing to avoid injuring your gums. Use a back-and-forth motion while working your way up and down each tooth.
- Flossing takes time, so make sure you allow enough time for the task. Don’t try to get in a hurry, or you might cause your gums to bleed. Instead, take your time and give each tooth the attention it deserves.
- Pay extra attention to your back molars. A majority of tooth decay issues start with the back teeth because they are so difficult to reach with your toothbrush.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for help. If you aren’t confident in your flossing skills, ask for a demonstration. Your dentist can show you the best flossing techniques and help you practice to ensure you are flossing the right way.
- Floss your teeth thoroughly at least once each day. Choose the same time each day to help create the habit. Yes, it’s going to take as long as five minutes to completely clean your teeth, but the benefits far outweigh the cost of a few minutes in your day.
- In those instances when you cannot floss thoroughly, floss anyway – some flossing is better than no flossing at all!
- Don’t forget about your children! As soon as your child has two teeth that touch together, you need to start flossing his teeth. You can expect to help your child with flossing until he is around 8-10 years old and capable of flossing thoroughly without your assistance.
You only get one set of teeth, and they need to last you for a lifetime. Take care of your teeth by following a regular dental hygiene routine – and your teeth will reward you with a lifetime of healthy smiles!
To Use Mouthwash or Not to Use Mouthwash
When you watch TV, you are likely to see commercials for various mouthwashes. These commercials can make it seem like mouthwash can do just as much for your teeth as brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, dental care is not as simple as swishing mouthwash around your mouth. You need a tried-and-true routine that includes brushing and flossing to ensure good dental health. You may be wondering why there is so much hype about mouthwash if it’s not that helpful. Mouthwash is helpful – it is just not a replacement for brushing and flossing.
Benefits of Mouthwash
- It can help reduce plaque by rinsing away particles in your mouth.
- It can help reduce bad breath.
- It helps prevent tooth decay by combating the bacteria in your mouth.
Mouthwash Disadvantages
- It will not clean the surface of your teeth, no matter how much you swish.
- It will not remove all of the trapped particles between your teeth or all of the plaque.
- It will not replace the use of your toothbrush and floss.
So, if mouthwash only has a handful of benefits, and it cannot match the cleaning power of your toothbrush and floss, should you use it? The answer is yes. Mouthwash should be a part of your everyday dental routine. It will freshen your breath in a snap, and it will help clean your mouth of anything that your brush or floss might have missed. While it shouldn’t be the only cleaning tool in your dental hygiene routine, it should definitely be on your list of things to use.
Choosing The Right Mouthwash For You
So, now that you know that mouthwash is helpful for your dental health, how do you choose the right kind, especially when there are so many available? When choosing a mouthwash, make sure you choose one that is approved by the American Dental Association. That is the most important factor – after that, you can find the flavor that best suits your taste buds because no one likes a foul-tasting mouthwash. When using your mouthwash, make sure you follow the directions for use and use it at least once each day – more, if the directions allow it. If you have children using the mouthwash, be certain that you provide proper supervision until they are old enough to follow the directions on their own. Also, make sure your children use a mouthwash that is designed for kids.
Mouthwash may not be a replacement for your brush and floss, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t have a place in your medicine cabinet. It can be a useful tool in combating various dental conditions, including tooth decay and gum disease. Just make sure that you don’t rely solely on your mouthwash to clean your teeth. Include its use in your daily dental routine, and you can help ensure the overall health of your mouth and your teeth – and you can have great, fresh breath!
For more information on maintaining a healthy smile, contact Friedman Dental Group for all of your dental needs or check out more blogs on oral health.
Last Reviewed By Dr. Eli Friedman on December 18, 2020
