Clean Teeth for Your Health
How does having clean teeth and gums help your overall health?
As you can image, the mouth is not always the cleanest place in the world. We eat food throughout the day, drink coffee, tea, beer, wine, juice, shakes, etc. You’re teeth and gums are frequently exposed to these consumables, and not all of the food and drink you consume leaves your mouth, without some help.
Bacteria in the mouth use these particles of food, and sugar from what you take in, as their own source of “food”. They eat, produce waste, multiply, eat, produce waste, multiply, over and over, cyclically. This process is classified as infection. “Infection” being defined as, “…the invasion of an organism’s body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to these organisms and the toxins they produce.” The waste bacteria produces is very acidic, for one, which can wear holes in the enamel (the hardest, outer layer of your teeth), and as a result, cause cavities. The same waste can also cause what we know as gum disease. Gum disease occurs when waste from bacteria begins to build up, causing your gums to start separating from your teeth (gums are supposed to remain tight around your teeth). If left unchecked, the bone around your teeth will begin to resorb (essentially, dissolve), which will cause your teeth to become loose or mobile. This same bacteria is what causes the need for Root Canal Therapy as well, after the bacteria wear away the protective layers of your teeth and go into the tooth root. Infected roots can be extremely painful, and may even cause abscesses to form in the jaw bone. Not a pretty picture by any means.
When bacteria, and food particles (which together, form dental plaque) are allowed to sit on the teeth and gums, the plaque they form can begin to harden into what is known as calculus, and it can harden into calculus in as little as 48 hours. Even those great at brushing and flossing their teeth can miss some spots of plaque, giving it enough time to harden into calculus. Dental calculus can’t be removed with just a toothbrush. It requires the type of special tools that Dental Hygienists, and Dentists use, which are specifically designed to remove this substance. This is why your dentist and hygienist will insist you come back at least once every 6 months.
Clean teeth and gums, will help promote good overall health. Brush, floss, and be sure to get regular professional dental cleanings. It’s good for your health.
Stay healthy my friends.
