We all know it’s important to go to the dentist for checkups, and to brush twice daily, and floss every day, and avoid sugary foods and drinks, and the list goes on. These are all pieces of advice that we’ve been told for as long as we’ve had teeth. Why though? Why is it so important that we take care of our teeth every day? The answer is simple, but we don’t always get the full explanation.
Preventative Care
All of those instructions for keeping your teeth and mouth clean are focused on preventative care. The purpose of that is to prevent damage to your teeth. By heading off damage before it can happen, you can avoid having to go to the dentist to get cavities drilled or teeth whitened.
But if the dentist can fix damage to your teeth, is it really that important? YES! Keeping your teeth clean and healthy is always the better option when it comes to dental care. First of all, it can help you avoid pain and discoloration. Second, once your teeth are damaged, that’s it, they can’t repair themselves! The dentist can clean out any decay that sets in, but your teeth won’t be as strong as they were prior to the damage.
Preventative care also makes it easier to avoid painful situations relating to your teeth and gums.
Dental Decay
Commonly referred to as cavities, decay on your teeth is most often the result of not brushing and flossing enough after eating sugary foods and drinks. That sugary residue can get into the gaps between teeth and start to eat away at the hard outer coating of your teeth resulting in little pockets that are even harder to keep clean.
Once decay happens, it’s impossible to turn back the clock and return your teeth to their natural strength and durability. A great way to prevent this is to brush thoroughly, floss daily, and schedule regular dentist appointments for professional cleaning.
Gum Disease
When bacteria wedge their way underneath the gum line, or the buildup on the teeth is starting to irritate the gums. Also known as gingivitis, gum disease can be painful and cause your gums to bleed, and become red and swollen, putting pressure on your teeth.
If not addressed, this can make it painful to brush your teeth normally, which exacerbates the problem. Getting ahead of this issue is the result of regular dental cleaning at home and at the dentist.
Tooth Sensitivity
Some people have naturally sensitive teeth and must take measures accordingly. Tooth sensitivity can be the result of continued dental decay. When those pockets we mentioned earlier go deep enough, your tooth is more susceptible to temperature changes. In some cases, the nerve connected to the tooth can become exposed.
When this happens, everything hurts. Talking, eating, drinking, even breathing can cause a jolt of pain. The best way to avoid this is—you guessed it!—regular dental care! If you notice sensitivity in your teeth, it’s important to go to the dentist right away to see what the cause is.
Taking The Necessary Steps
As mentioned several times above, the key to preventing these issues is preventative care. When you regularly brush your teeth and floss, you can dislodge the kinds of sugars that eat away at your enamel. By doing this, you also reduce the kinds of bacteria that can irritate your gums and lead to gum disease. When you prevent both of these problems from occurring or getting worse, you also manage to reduce the likelihood that you’ll experience tooth sensitivity!
When properly taken care of, your teeth can last you a long time and stand up to pretty much anything. The best way to keep them strong, white, and pain free is by taking steps NOW. Scheduling an appointment with your dentist is a fantastic way to find out what you’re already doing right and what other areas you can work to improve. Don’t hesitate, start preventing right away!
