Caring for your health includes focusing on more than just your body. You need to take care of your mouth by implementing good oral hygiene practices as well. And as you focus on bettering your oral hygiene habits, you’ll see an improvement in the health of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
Oral Hygiene and Why It Matters
Each time that you eat, the food that you consume can get stuck in and around your teeth and gums. This food can lead to tooth corrosion, decay, and damage. With a good oral hygiene routine, you can clear away that food before it has the chance to affect your teeth. Brushing and flossing are both crucial parts of everyday oral hygiene. They help remove the food in your mouth, freshen things up, and ensure nothing is left that can hurt your teeth. Oral hygiene matters because you only have one set of teeth and ignoring them can lead to all kinds of issues.
What Happens if You Ignore Oral Hygiene?
When you fail to brush your teeth, use floss to clean between them, and visit your dentist on a regular basis, you run the risk of dealing with a lot of pain or even losing your teeth prematurely. Cavities can develop in the teeth, and those can become serious when they are ignored. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to bad breath and mouth sores.
Gum disease is another issue that you might face if you don’t take care of your oral health. Spending a few minutes each day taking care of your teeth, gums, and overall mouth will benefit you in the long run.
Steps to Take to Keep Your Mouth Happy
One of the best things that you can do to care for your mouth is to brush your teeth each day. You might choose to brush once at the start of the day and again before you go to bed, or you might brush after each meal. When you do not have the chance to brush, rinsing with water can help clear food from your mouth.
Flossing and using mouthwash should also be part of your daily routine. Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper on it can remove germs from your mouth as well.
Schedule A Consultation Today
As you get into a good oral hygiene routine, you will start to notice a difference in the way that you feel about your mouth and teeth. You might be free of sensitivities and sores that you had been dealing with for years, or you might notice that your breath feels fresher. You may even feel the urge to smile more.
As you are starting up a good oral hygiene routine, make sure to take advantage of Dr. Koster’s expertise at Locust Valley Dentists. We can help you with regular exams, cleaning and whitening services, and any other dental care you need.
To schedule a consultation today, call our Locust Valley, NY office at (516) 759-2288 or use our online scheduling form.
