Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Importance of Dental Care

Having good teeth and healthy gums not only makes for a great smile, but also provides good overall physical health. Numerous studies have shown the links between gum disease (known medically as periodontal disease) and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and even diabetes. Reports by dental and medical experts indicate the strong relationship of poor dental maintenance to poor overall health and potentially fatal results if not treated immediately.


At the core of maintaining good oral health is your daily dental regimen at home. This includes thorough brushing at least twice a day, regular flossing, and using dental products that contain fluoride. For those living in non–fluorinated areas, fluoride is added to local water supplies. Children under 12 are advised to drink fluorinated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in such areas.


Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your mouth.

Healthy teeth and gums not only enable you to look and feel good, it also helps you speak and eat properly. Daily preventive care helps stop minor conditions before they develop into (usually more expensive and painful) problems in the future.

Brushing the teeth is particularly important although it alone will not remove dental plaque that builds up over time. Plaque is a clear, sticky film that coats your teeth formed by colonizing bacteria that are trying to attach themselves to the tooth surface. As Tucson AZ dentists will agree on, plaque must be removed to decrease your risk of getting toothaches, cavities, periodontal diseases, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.


As Tucson AZ dentists and other dental experts have noted, deteriorating dental health also has broader implications for your overall health.

For instance, poor oral health has also been linked to increased risk for respiratory illnesses apart from heart diseases and diabetes. Use of emergency services also increases with poorer dental health.

In the end, it is best to detect oral problems early. Simple problems like cavities and broken fillings are easy to treat. However, these can lead to more serious problems like root canal treatments and even tooth extraction without regular trips to Tucson AZ dentists. You would also want to know if you are doing it right. Dental checkups allow dentists to examine your mouth and advise you of the correct method of brushing, flossing, and cavity removal techniques.