Why is tooth brushing important you ask? Great question!

Having a clear understanding of the why…. is important to navigating your way to optimal oral health and ultimately systemic health.

  1. Remove plaque

The most common reason ….as to why we brush our teeth is to remove plaque.  Dental plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless film that contain millions of bacteria that are constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque is the main cause of bad breath, cavities, gingivitis and gum (periodontal) disease.

 If the plaque has turned a yellow-orange color along the gum line…you have missed that area for at least three days, you will need to brush longer and harder to get it off once it turns orange and the gums will probably bleed when you brush them.

  1. You want healthy teeth and gums

Prevent gingivitis and gum disease…. when you brush your teeth at least twice a day you reduce your chances of getting bleeding gums.

Your teeth can’t talk, or can they?  When they bleed they say “ help me you are not brushing me enough”

       Gingivitis is reversible, If you have bleeding gums it is a sign you need to see a dentist.

 

   3.   Fresh Breath

Brushing your teeth regularly prevents plaque and bacteria from building up. Reducing the amount of plaque and bacteria by brushing help keep your breath fresh, eliminating bad breath.

    4. You want to be kissable

No one wants to kiss someone with bad breath. Brushing is the #1 most effective way to get rid of bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath. Bacteria that can be passed to the person you are kissing. Keep that in mind when you are kissing someone.

  1. Healthy body

Brushing regularly reduces your risk of having a heart attack or stroke…

Plaque bacteria from your mouth can travel into the bloodstream. People with gum disease are two times more likely to get heart disease.

  1. Healthy baby

Gum disease has been shown to increase the chance of premature birth and low birth weight. If you are pregnant, keep in mind that the bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream of your baby, putting them in risk too.

  1. Prevent Dementia

Studies show that Poor Oral Health increases your risk of developing dementia by 30% to 40%.  This fact surprised me!

  1. Prevent Decay

The acids in plaque weaken the enamel surface of the teeth, creating cavities. Brushing helps Get Rid of that bacteria!

Brushing your teeth just a few minutes a day, is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways  to fight bacteria and plaque and to prevent cavities.

  1. Saves money

Brushing your teeth twice a day will not only improve your dental health, when your teeth and gums are healthy you won’t need as much dental work ….which will lower your dental bills.

  1. Remove stain

Brushing with toothpaste or baking soda helps remove surface stain from your teeth. which keep you teeth white. Who doesn’t want white teeth?

  1. Make someone’s day

All it takes is a smile to make someone’s day!

Brushing your teeth gives you the confidence to smile. You may never know what the chain reaction of one smile is.

12.  Prevent Calculus build up

If you do not remove plaque with daily brushing and flossing it can harden into calculus also called Tartar. Calcified or hardened plaque must be scaled off and removed by a dental professional.

Most people brush their teeth twice a day! Or do they? We tell ourselves we brush twice a day but do you really? The proof is in the pudding or should I say plaque.

I see people every day who tell me they are brushing twice a day for two minutes…but their mouth tells a different story.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. Most people think just running the toothbrush over the surface of their teeth is enough. But it is not.

Why we brush

How we brush

How long we brush

Are all of critical importance to our overall health.

Everyone has a buildup of plaque in their mouth, if you don’t brush often, plaque can lead to inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis which is the first stage of gum disease.

These are only 12 reasons you should be brushing your teeth.

Whichever toothbrush device you chose for brushing manual, electric or magic wand tooth brushing is an important part of your daily routine.