Taking good care of your appearance is absolutely essential if you want to look – and feel – your best. But when it comes to oral hygiene, your looks and sense self-confidence aren’t the only important qualities at stake; in fact, healthy teeth and gums can lead to a healthier body as a whole. When oral hygiene is neglected, it inevitably leads to plaque buildup on the teeth, bacterial infections of the gums and, eventually, even more serious repercussions down the road. Here are five reasons why maintaining excellent oral hygiene is absolutely vital:
- Avoid the complications of tooth decay and gum disease. If you don’t regularly brush, floss and visit the dentist, the consequences include painful cavities, gingivitis and even tooth loss. Lost teeth will affect your smile, your speech and your self-esteem – and, as if that weren’t enough, bacteria from the mouth can spread to other areas of the body. This can increase your chances of potentially fatal illnesses like heart disease or stroke.
- Spare yourself the pain. As anyone who has ever suffered from a toothache can attest, dental discomfort can be incredibly painful. Our teeth are essentially exposed bone covered with a layer of protective enamel, and they sit on top of a complex network of sensitive nerve endings. Since we use our mouths for so many different activities, from talking to kissing to eating, it’s easy to inadvertently aggravate inflamed gums or deteriorating teeth, further adding to the pain. And, of course, the longer you wait to fix dental problems, the more painful and intimidating a trip to the dentist becomes.
- Protect yourself from the emotional repercussions of dental damage. In many ways, our smiles are our calling cards; they help people remember us, and they offer a great way to break the ice with a new acquaintance. If you’re constantly trying to hide your stained, chipped or decaying teeth, your sense of self-worth is going to be greatly compromised. Why not put your best face forward by committing yourself to basic dental maintenance instead?
- Sidestep potential relationship issues. One of the most common side effects of ignoring dental hygiene is halitosis – in other words, bad breath. Chronic and persistent halitosis can be off-putting to everyone you come in contact with, from friends and coworkers to your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. They may even begin to avoid you without even knowing why. Aren’t your personal relationships worth the effort it takes to care for your teeth?
- Safeguard against professional repercussions. Just as there could be personal fallout for the person who eschews brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist, there could be serious consequences for their career as well.
People want to give raises and promotions to enterprising go-getters with dynamic, confident smiles – not reserved types who are afraid to smile or laugh in the office, or who have a reputation for having bad breath.
When it comes to oral hygiene, the choice is clear: Ignore it at your own risk – or care for your teeth properly and enjoy a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
About Author: Melissa Beckman is a freelance writer specializing on topics oral health as well as various services provided by a cosmetic dentist.
