Most people recognize dental hygiene as something they should practice every day. However, not everyone does so consistently, and unfortunately, people don’t always connect their existing dental health concerns with the fact that their dental hygiene is inconsistent. Today, we take a look at just how important it is to stick to a consistently good hygiene routine, and what it could mean if you grow too complacent in keeping your teeth and gums clean every day.

It’s the basis of preventive dental care

Preventive dental care is the practice of keeping your smile healthy by preventing any issues that could threaten your teeth and gums. Many of these concerns start with the excess buildup of oral bacteria on your teeth surfaces, which form the sticky biofilm known as plaque to cling to these surfaces. You can’t prevent this buildup, but you can prevent it from becoming excessive by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once. If you don’t clean your teeth well enough, or if you skip brushing and flossing once or twice, then plaque can calcify, or harden, into tartar (or calculus). Once it does, your toothbrush and floss won’t be enough to remove it anymore.

It’s your best defense against severe issues

The reason it’s so important to control plaque and tartar buildup is because the bacteria that cause it are also responsible for many of the most common oral health concerns. For example, tooth decay develops when certain bacteria in plaque metabolize sugars and carbs. They turn them into acids that deplete your tooth enamel, then slip past the enamel to infect the main part of your tooth structure. Other kinds of oral bacteria will work their way underneath your gums if given enough time. Out of reach of your toothbrush and floss, these bacteria can easily infect your gum tissues, leading to potentially severe gum disease.

It depends on your dentist’s help, too

While a consistently good hygiene routine can significantly lower your chances of developing such concerns, there’s no guarantee that you’ll successfully clean away every last trace of plaque, every single day. Even with your best efforts, you may still develop tartar on your teeth and along your gum line. The only way to remove the calcified film is with professional cleaning at your dentist’s office. In fact, you should attend a professional dental checkup and cleaning at least once every six months for optimal results.

It’s important to make sure you practice good hygiene

Your dental hygiene routine helps set the stage for your oral health for life. To learn more, or to schedule your appointment, call Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, today at 219-938-2637.