As we all grow older, keeping your mouth clean and oral hygiene in check becomes more important. Even if you have a full set of dentures, it is essential to look after your teeth and gums. Visiting the dentist regularly can become a chore which often gets pushed down the priority list, swamped by other tasks. Read on to learn why maintaining your oral health should be one of your essential to-dos.
- Preventing cavities
Do you notice that a white film builds up on your teeth throughout the day? This substance is called plaque, and it is the main cause of tooth decay. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque builds up faster. If plaque sits on your teeth for long enough, its acidic chemicals wear down your tooth enamel.
Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove all the plaque on your teeth. A professional cleaning service from your dentist will often do the job.
- Preventing gum disease
The plaque on your teeth can also harden and become tartar. This is a substance which can only be removed by dentists. If you leave tartar to fester, it can become periodontal disease. This affects the tissue around your teeth that holds them in place.
Periodontal disease is usually the result of poor dental health, but if you smoke regularly then your risk-rate is even higher. Periodontal disease will cause painful and bleeding gums if left untreated.
- Preventing tooth loss
When periodontal diseases are left untreated, the plaque travels down the teeth into their roots. This is where its acidic properties will attack and wear down the bones in your jaw. This is the main cause of tooth loss among adults today.
- Deals with bad breath
Nothing is worse than having bad breath yourself or having a conversation with someone whose breath stinks. This can be frustrating for everyone involved.
Bad breath can’t be tamed by just brushing alone- it comes from the bacteria living in your mouth. The only way to get rid of this stubborn bacteria is to have a professional cleaning from your dentist. Follow this up with a rigorous dental routine, or the bad breath problems will persist.
- Brightening your smile
Not having the confidence to smile can seriously dampen your confidence and social life. Having a bright smile can be difficult when drinking beverages which constantly stain your teeth, like coffee.
Teeth are made of multiple layers. Under the tooth enamel, there is a tissue called dentin. As you age, your tooth enamel layer thins, allowing the yellow tones of the dentin to show through.
While brushing regularly can remove some of these stains, stubborn ones can only be removed through a cleaning service at your dentist.
- Minimising the occurrence of type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is connected to gum disease, since periodontal diseases limit your body’s ability to process insulin. More severe gum diseases can affect your body’s ability to control its blood glucose levels. All this can worsen your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Ignoring your oral health can increase the risk of developing pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung-centred infection, which makes breathing difficult. In older people, pneumonia can be almost fatal.
If you are of the older generation, poor oral health can lead to diseases like pneumonia. This is because any of the bacteria which is left to fester in your mouth is being breathed into your lungs also.
- Improvements to your overall health
Oral health and general wellbeing are in fact deeply connected. By ensuring good oral hygiene, you are reducing the risk of heart disease, strokes, lung infections, and even cancer.
When you visit your dentist, they can do much more than examine and clean your mouth. They can take x-rays and check for oral cancer, which can help you keep on top of your health.
- Saving money long-term
Preventative and general dentistry is much cheaper than restorative and cosmetic treatments. Although your bi-annual checkup may seem like a lot at the time, it’s better to be paying those fees than thousands for restorative or emergency measures.
Taking good care of your teeth can prevent costly trips to the dentist. Going to the dentist twice a year can help you avoid more expensive and invasive treatments later on.
Keep on top of your dental health
Paying attention and upkeeping your oral health is just as important as your general health. These are just a few of the benefits to having a rigorous dental hygiene regimen, but there are plenty more reasons to book that overdue appointment with the dentist!
