Ask our dentist in West Byfleet: why is my oral hygiene so important?
Have you ever wondered why our dentist in West Byfleet insists on the importance of maintaining a good dental hygiene programme at home? Good oral hygiene routines are absolutely essential should you wish to enjoy good oral health over the long term and avoid the threat of dental problems that are costly and time-consuming to treat. But the rewards of optimal oral hygiene do not stop there – there are plenty of benefits for mental, physical and psychosocial health to enjoy as well.
It is not only the dental care interventions taken by our dentist in West Byfleet at Byfleet Dental that restore oral health. Patients, too, play a huge part in enjoying good oral health and a bright smile for life.
Fortunately, there are only a few recommended guidelines for an effective dental hygiene programme. The most important thing to remember is that these observations need to be consistent if the benefits are to be had over the long term.
Our dentist in West Byfleet advises on the benefits of good oral hygiene and the key factors that make up a satisfactory oral hygiene practice.
Why a good oral hygiene practice is worthwhile
It may not be known by many patients, but the fact is that poor oral health raises the risk of threats to life-reducing medical complications. And oral health is influenced by how clean teeth and gums are kept.
When dental hygiene is neglected, this creates an ideal environment for undesirable pathogens to wreak havoc on dental health. It is when bad bacteria overwhelm the mouth that problems such as tooth decay, chronic bad breath and gum disease are experienced. The problem with bad bacteria gets even worse when physical health deteriorates.
These health-destroying pathogens also end up in the wider body where they constrict blood flow in the vascular system. Clogged-up arteries are a well-known cause of triggering heart attacks and strokes. Other complications that are likely to arise include diabetes, inflammation in the body and pneumonia. Patients can reduce the likelihood of experiencing these unwanted medical complaints by keeping their teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Good dental hygiene is useful in another way; these daily actions, when done at home, can help keep the cost of dental care low. Instead of paying for costly treatments to restore dental health, patients pay a relatively lower sum for routine dental exams that identify minor problems before they can escalate into serious issues.
What does a good dental hygiene practice entail? Patients will be happy to know the guidelines are easy to implement, but the daily practice is of the utmost importance if the programme is to produce the desired results.
At the heart of a dental hygiene programme is the twice-daily observation of brushing teeth and once-daily action of flossing. For brushing to do its job effectively, patients need to be mindful of brushing for at least two minutes. The toothbrush bristles need to be soft and flexible, and fluoride-enriched toothpaste must be used to strengthen the enamel.
For more tips and tricks to keep teeth and gums in optimal condition, please schedule a consultation or checkup with our friendly dentist at Byfleet Dental. Give our reception desk a call to find an appointment time that suits you.