14
May
Why is Dental Health So Important?
You May Be Wondering…
What’s so bad about not taking care of your teeth? Sometimes it can really get in the way — in a study by Hello Products, they found that 30% of millennials only brush their teeth once a day. And many more people don’t floss regularly, with only 16% flossing daily.
Read on to learn all the ways that your oral hygiene can affect you.
The Appearance of Your Smile
One of the most noticeable aspects of your oral health is the way it influences your smile. A beautiful smile comes with many benefits — a better appearance, improved self-confidence, and a better social life.
Oral health issues can ravage the way your smile looks and make you hesitant to show your teeth. According to the ADA, 23% of adults are embarrassed by the condition of their smile and 20% feel anxious about it.
Your Overall Health is Influenced
The condition of your oral health doesn’t only affect your teeth — it can affect your entire body. Oral disease may begin in the mouth, but eventually, it can spread to other parts of your body and lead to serious health conditions.
Some of the chronic disease associated with poor oral health include:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Endocarditis
Taking care of your dental health not only keeps your smile looking beautiful, but also keeps your body free from disease.
The Ability to Socialize Well
Dental health contributes to the world of socialization in several ways. The first is related to the appearance of your smile, as a smile with severely decayed and missing teeth can turn many people away. Even if you’re charming, a damaged smile can affect people’s perception.
Bad breath, or halitosis, can also lead to difficulty socializing and cause trouble in romantic pursuits. It can be hard to speak with someone or kiss a person whose breath is unpleasantly pungent.
If your teeth start to fall out, you can also have difficulty saying words properly. Your tongue uses the crowns of your teeth to form the sounds that make up our spoken language. As you lose more teeth, speaking becomes increasingly difficult.
Oral Health at the Table
Your teeth also play an important role in eating. Loose or missing teeth can influence what you’re able to eat, so if you love tough or crunchy foods you’ll have to give them up. Your chewing power could become significantly reduced if you don’t care for your oral health.
Of all adults in the U.S., 54% have trouble eating or chewing due to the condition of their dental health. If you’re currently part of this group, Dr. Alfano can restore your ability to chew with prosthodontics.
How to Care for Your Teeth
Home care is your everyday defense against oral diseases. It doesn’t really take very long to ensure your oral hygiene is in good shape every day.
The most common issue with tooth brushing is that people don’t brush for the full two minutes twice per day. It may not seem important, but this time limit can remind you to brush every part of your mouth. If you have trouble keeping track, try setting a timer or using an app.
Flossing can be difficult to get the hang of, but once you do it’ll be easy. We recommend flossing at least once per day, especially if you know there may be food stuck between your teeth. Fluoride mouthwash can also help to protect your teeth.
Dr. Alfano Can Help
Coming in for regular dental cleanings is a vital step in your oral health care routine. Even if you take spectacular care of your teeth, it’s still possible for you to miss hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Preventive exams and cleanings can make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy.
If you’ve already experienced decay or lost teeth, Dr. Alfano can fix your smile with fillings and natural-looking tooth replacements called dental implants. Once you’ve recovered the health of your mouth, you can be back to smiling without fear.
To learn more about how Dr. Alfano can help you, contact our office by calling (949) 673-7820 or by filling out our online contact form to send us a message. We’ll be with you right away