Reasons Why You Must Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Taking good care of your teeth plays a significant role in your overall health and well-being. Good oral hygiene involves protecting your teeth against decay, refined sugars, etc. Research reveals that about 84% of adults in the US believe having bad teeth can negatively affect their career and personal lives. As you go about your daily activities, you’ll likely forget to pay attention to your oral hygiene. However, it’s essential to prioritize it as it provides you with several benefits, including those listed below. 

1. Boosts your confidence 

Taking good care of your teeth plays a significant role in boosting your self-esteem. Regular dental care can improve your teeth’ appearance and protect them against wear and tear over the years. It also helps give you pleasant breath, making you more confident when engaging in a conversation.


One way to ensure your teeth are always looking their best is by visiting a reputable dentist, such as those found at Thayer Dental Care. Additionally, using good toothpaste rich in fluoride can make your teeth look white and enhance your physical appearance. A confident smile can provide you with the added benefit of creating an excellent first impression on people you meet, whether at a job interview or while making a new friend.


2. Contributes to a smoother pregnancy


Believe it or not, taking good care of your teeth can impact your pregnancy if you’re an expectant mother! Studies reveal that pregnant women who pay attention to their oral health are less likely to have babies with low birth weight and premature labor. Health experts’ popular explanation for this is that gum disease could release extra chemicals that induce labor. As such, if you’re pregnant, try to brush your teeth often (despite the possible regular morning sickness), and visit the dentist as often as you can. 


3. Guards your teeth against diseases


One crucial benefit of good oral hygiene is that it helps protect your teeth against gum diseases, cavities, falling out, etc. Some health experts have even established a link between poor oral health and diseases that do not seem to be related to the mouth. These conditions include diabetes and cancer, which happen due to some bacteria in the mouth! Having dental issues can be unpleasant as you can experience bleeding, swelling, etc. Therefore, you must develop good dental habits, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day to eliminate any particles that may have gathered in the corners after you had a snack or a meal. 



4. It saves you costs over time


It’s more prudent to take little steps to keep your teeth in their best condition than to wait till there’s a severe problem before dealing with it to prevent financial loss. Regular dental visits, flossing, eating healthy, drinking lots of water, and buying good toothpaste are little expenses worth investing in to control higher costs in the future. Good oral hygiene will reduce the likelihood of needing interventions such as dental implants, which could be costly. As such, it’s best to avoid such issues entirely by prioritizing your oral hygiene daily. 


To make it easier for you to observe good oral hygiene, you can create fun routines that you and your family can explore. Doing this will help you hold each other accountable and allow you to spend some quality time together.