by Dewan K. Farhana
Maintaining good oral hygiene is more important than you think—it can lead to your overall good health.
It is pertinent to follow a regular regimen for proper oral hygiene. Food debris can remain hidden in the mouth if not cleaned properly. To prevent dental decay and maintain overall good health, it is important that the mouth is cleaned properly by brushing, flossing and using mouthwash.
Bacteria like Streptoccous mutans (S. mutans) can remain on the surface of your teeth, causing serious health problems, which can spread to other parts of the body.
For instance, if S. mutans builds up in someone’s teeth, and that person visits a dentist who uses a Novocain injection, S. mutans could get into the person’s bloodstream through the needle of the injection. This could potentially damage the heart valves and lead to cardiovascular complications.
Bad oral hygiene can also set you up for problems in the future. You could develop gingivitis, bad breath, and even lose your teeth!
In addition to visiting your dentist regularly, here are some tips Colgate offers to help keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Brush thoroughly twice a day, and floss daily
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals
- Use dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Rinse your mouth using mouthwash that contains fluoride, if approved by your dentist.
- Make sure that children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area.
Photo: qwikstep.eu
Source: colgate.com
