As a busy Collingwood dental practice, it’s fair to say we get asked lots of oral health questions. A lot of them boil down to simply wondering ‘Is dental treatment worth it?’ though. While it may not get as much attention in the mainstream media or pop culture as diets, getting regular exercise or even just ensuring you get enough sleep at night, your dental health is just as important. This post we’ll explain why.

Why Is Dental Health So Important?

When it comes to how dental health affects your health, there’s plenty to know.

What Would Happen If You Ignored Your Oral Health?

If you’ve ever considered skipping brushing your teeth because you’re running late or you’re just too tired, we’ve got 5 reasons to help you find the time, energy and motivation to stick to your oral health routine.

1. Tooth decay and gum disease: If you aren’t regularly managing your oral hygiene, plaque can easily build up. If you leave plaque to its own devices, you can expect to be dealing with tooth decay and gum disease soon.

2. Pain and sensitivity: Along with that tooth decay and gum disease, you’re going to experience a lot of sensitivity in your mouth and even pain. This can make it extremely hard for you to enjoy your favourite foods and drinks. Forget carb-loading for your next marathon or some quick protein boosts before you head to the gym, it’ll be hard to look after your overall health if eating and drinking are a chore.

3. Tooth loss: Let your tooth decay and gum disease become severe and you might soon be dealing with tooth loss. Missing teeth can cause a lot of other issues too, from making you self-conscious and affecting your speech to restricting your diet.

4. Infections: If tooth decay and gum disease doesn’t phase you, what about infections? When you ignore your oral hygiene, infections are more likely to occur because of the increased bacteria present. Further, if your body is constantly fighting off these infections, it’s going to be too tired to handle other battles, from your average cold to nastier viruses and bacteria.

5. Increased risk of heart disease and stroke: If you don’t treat those infections, you can be setting yourself up for even bigger trouble. This is because bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and form clots, which may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

How You Win When You Look After Your Dental Health

However, if you prioritise your dental health, there’s plenty to look forward to including:

Having healthy teeth and gums to enjoy all your favourite foods.
Having a healthy immune system that isn’t overtaxed by infections.
Reducing your risk for heart disease and stroke with fewer infections.
Helping you feel better every day with that clean mouth-feel, fresh breath and stunning smile.

With positive effects like those, looking after your teeth and gums is a smart choice.

So, How Can You Improve Your Dental Health?

To get on top of your oral health, there’s lots you can do. Remember, every little thing helps, and once you’ve incorporated them into your routine, you might even look forward to them, like going for a run, as well as love the end results!

Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Floss daily too to get rid of any plaque and food from between your teeth.
Use mouthwash to kill bacteria before they can cause infections.
Limit your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks to avoid additional wear to your tooth enamel.
Drink lots of water to give your teeth a quick clean throughout the day.
Change your toothbrush every 3–4 months for more effective brushing.
Choose foods that are calcium-rich and packed with nutrients your teeth love, like leafy greens and nuts.

Don’t Forget to Visit Your Favourite Dentist in Collingwood!

Of course, one of the best ways to look after your oral health is to visit the dentist! If you’re looking for a reliable, experienced and friendly dentist in Collingwood, come visit the team at Abbotsford Dental. We’ll help you get your oral health into shape so you can enjoy all the significant benefits of proper dental care and happy, healthy teeth.