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Article By Candace Amaker
Growing up, you realize just how important it is to brush your teeth everyday. Sure, you may think forgetting to brush one day may not be harmful to you, but it’s best if you try not to do that. And speaking of forgetting things, how many times have you forgotten to floss your teeth? Oh, you don’t floss? Well, why the heck not!?
Look, I get it. I didn’t think flossing was essential when I was younger, especially since I brush my teeth everyday. But while brushing does help to keep your teeth clean, it only does half of the work. A brush can’t get down into those nooks and crannies of your teeth, where bacteria and plaque can grow and spread.
That’s where flossing comes in. Flossing can help you remove stuff like food and plaque from between your teeth and along your gum line. These are places your toothbrush can’t reach and if these things are not removed, it can lead to many problems with your teeth. Cavities and gingivitis are just a few.
And among the bacteria flossing aids in getting rid of are ones that cause you to have bad breath. Yeah, you could pop in a stick of gum and have your breath smelling minty fresh for a while. But remember, that’s only a temporary solution and you should instead take care of the underlying problem, which is bacteria. So if you don’t want people running away from you and your stank breath, you better remember to floss!
Have you ever experienced a time where your gums suddenly feel sore? Or maybe your gums just seemed a little red? Well, I don’t want to scare you, but those could be signs of gum disease. It’s a result of a bad brushing and flossing routine. If plaque and tartar remain on your teeth for too long, it can redden your gums and cause soreness. The moment you have any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately and they can help you find the best treatment for your teeth.
Now, if you neglect to floss or brush for a long period of time, this can lead to some serious dental issues. Cavities are probably the most well-known problem when it comes to teeth and for good reason too. Cavities are holes in your teeth that are caused by decay. Doesn’t it scare you to think that your teeth might just be just rotten away? You better believe that I’m scared!
Not only that, but dental problems don’t just stop with your teeth. The effects of letting bacteria build up within your teeth can spread throughout your entire body! Did you know that dental problems can lead to cardiovascular issues, such as heart attacks and strokes? I know, I would’ve never thought that the issues with my teeth would lead to issues with my heart!
You know that saying “Nothing you wear is more important than your smile”? Well, you probably don’t want to show a smile filled with yellow or even black teeth, right? Enamel discoloration is another symptom of some sort of dental issue. Of course, color changes with your teeth are not uncommon when you eat or drink certain things like curry or wine. But you should watch out for colors like yellow, brown, and black, because those can be signs of tooth decay or other medical problems.
For any soon-to-be mothers out there, I urge you to keep an eye on your oral hygiene not only for your sake, but for the sake of your baby. We all know that the condition of a mother’s body can affect the condition of their child. When the mother is upset, the baby is upset and when the mother is happy, the baby is happy. An unborn child will also be impacted by their mother’s hygiene as oral infections can result in the fetus becoming infected with something.
Don’t get me wrong, pregnant women are not the only ones who need to look out for their teeth. Everyone should maintain a good dental routine that involves brushing AND flossing. No one wants to live the rest of their life with yellow teeth or worse, no teeth at all! If you’re having trouble finding the right floss for your teeth, you can always look up different types online or better yet, talk to your dentist about it. Don’t worry, they’ll be happy to help!
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