It can be far too easy for oral health to take a backseat to all other types of personal grooming. Too tired before bed to floss? Too busy to brush thoroughly? That’s understandable – some nights you are no doubt ready to drop into bed fully clothed because you’re so exhausted – but skipping a brushing and flossing isn’t advisable. You probably spent a great deal of time doing your hair, choosing your outfit, or doing your makeup that day – what about some love for your teeth? After all, if your smile doesn’t look or smell good, it doesn’t matter what the rest of you looks like. Here are just some of the ways you may be neglecting your oral health.
1. You Have a Bad Habit
Everyone has vices, though they certainly differ from person to person. For many individuals, an all-day coffee-drinking or soda-sipping habit is the way they get through the working or parenting hours. This dedication to caffeine, while it may be keeping you alert and awake, is doing nothing positive for your teeth. Extrinsic tooth stains are in the works, which means eventually your teeth will begin to develop discoloration that only professional teeth whitening will be able to remedy. If you can’t give up the java, at least balance out your addiction with thorough, consistent, daily oral health care, including bi-annual visits to the dentist for an exam and cleaning.
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2. You’re Covering Things Up
Bad breath should only be temporary, a side effect of a garlic-infused meal. Attempting to mask malodorous breath by sucking on peppermints or hard candy is only compounding the problem because you are constantly bathing your teeth in sugar and bacteria, which will inevitably lead to cavities on top of the bad breath problem.
Bleeding gums should happen pretty much never. Ignoring any bleeding, pain, swollen, or red gums is turning your back on what could very well be developing gum disease. Neglecting this problem will not make it go away, it will only lead to tooth loss and, ultimately, the need for intensive treatment down the road.
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3. You’re Skipping Dental Appointments
Adults are busy, that’s a given. But a dental exam and cleaning every six months only takes a brief period of time to complete. Sure, it’s not always easy to get away from the office or find a babysitter, but you have to put your oral health at the top of the list. Skipping a visit to the dentist or pushing it off for months and months allows plaque and bacteria to build up on your teeth, damage your enamel, and eventually lead to tooth decay. Cavities are bad enough, but if oral health becomes even more compromised it can turn into an abscess and the need for restorative dentistry treatments like porcelain crowns or dental implants.
A Bright Future for Your Oral Health
Caring for your teeth is not difficult. Flossing at least once a day and brushing at least twice a day is the least you can do to keep the gateway to the rest of your body as clean and healthy as possible in between regular trips to your dentist. It’s never too late to take care of your teeth. Make the decision now to change your behaviors and starting managing your oral health diligently. Discuss any questions you may have about preventive care, oral health problems, or cosmetic dentistry procedures with Dr. Sindu Gundabathula, Doylestown dentist. Make an appointment today.
