Why is it Important to Brush Your Teeth?
Brushing your teeth is advice so common that it’s become a cliche. There’s a reason brushing your teeth is a valuable morning and evening routine. It’s about more than making sure you don’t go into your big presentation with spinach in your teeth. It’s about keeping your body healthy.
Plaque and Cavities
Plaque is the film that builds up on your teeth over time. This material is the result of bacteria. There will always be bacteria in your mouth, and on their own, they’re not a problem. The problem happens when they can feed on particles of food that are left behind after you eat or the sugars of liquids that you drink. When the bacteria feed, they break the sugars and particles down into acid. This creates plaque, which wears away the outer coating of your teeth. Over time, enough outer coating wears away that decay and rot set in. That’s how you get painful and unsightly cavities. There is a way to fight this, however: brushing your teeth.
You Can’t Get Enamel Back
Once bacteria have worn away your outer tooth coating, called enamel, you can’t replace it. Unlike other parts of your body that can heal when they’re injured, your enamel can’t. Once you have lost it, it’s gone forever. That’s why it’s so important for you to take care of your enamel. The choices that you make today will affect the shape your teeth will be in next year and for the rest of your life.
Gingivitis and Bone Loss
Brushing your teeth does more than just scrape off cavity-causing plaque. It also gets rid of more of the bacteria in your gum line. Gum disease is a common cause of tooth loss. Not only that, but gum infections can cause a deterioration in your jaw bone. This can present severe complications to your health in general. Poor oral health, for example, also increases your risk for heart disease.
Effective Brushing
Effective brushing can go a long way towards keeping your teeth and gums healthy and clean. First, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard bristles can rub away your enamel. Then use short, moderately firm strokes. Take at least two minutes to brush your teeth, so you know that you’re hitting every tooth and every side.
Flossing is also great! Floss before you brush your teeth. If you do pick out any food particles trapped in your mouth, you don’t want them just sitting there. Brushing after flossing whisks those food bits away, so your mouth stays fresh and clean.
It’s important to brush your teeth because it’s your first line of defense against plaque. Cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss can be avoided if you brush diligently. Remember to brush every tooth, and the backs as well!