Why Good Hygiene Doesn’t Always Prevent Dental Concerns

Sticking to a good dental hygiene routine is important to keeping your smile healthy, and many people recognize its importance. However, even when they brush their teeth twice and floss at least once every day, many people still experience the development of dental health concerns. The most common of these include tooth decay and gum disease, both of which stem from the buildup of oral bacteria on your teeth and gums. Today, we examine why good dental hygiene isn’t always enough on its own to prevent dental concerns, and what else you might require to ensure your smile’s continued good health.

The source of most dental concerns

Tooth decay and gum disease are the most common concerns that your hygiene routine is designed to prevent against. Both are caused by the buildup of different kinds of oral bacteria on your teeth and along your gum line, and preventing this buildup can often be more complex than it seems. Brushing and flossing it away as soon as possible is the best way to stop plaque from building up too much, and to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. For many people, the formation of tartar, which can’t be cleaned away with a toothbrush, is the beginning of the formation of tooth decay, gum disease, or more.

The point of good dental hygiene

The basics of a good dental hygiene routine is to brush your teeth and floss between them consistently every day. This is meant to help you control the activity of oral bacteria and their presence on the surfaces of your teeth. However, it’s only natural to miss a spot of plaque once in a while, or for it to form in a spot where your toothbrush and floss cannot easily reach it. When it remains there long enough, plaque will calcify, or harden, into tartar, and the bacteria within it can continue to grow stronger, more numerous, and more threatening to your oral health.

How to successfully protect your oral health

The fact that you may naturally miss plaque sometimes and allow tartar to develop may be a reason why dental concerns still develop despite good hygiene practices. However, it doesn’t mean you have to accept the threat or consequences of things like tooth decay, gum disease, or other chronic oral health concerns. The point of professional dental cleanings is to carefully and completely remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, preferably before oral bacteria have the chance to cause an oral health concern. Your chances at successful prevention are highest when you stick to a consistent schedule of professional dental cleanings to routinely remove tartar buildup, as well as plaque.

Learn how to effectively prevent dental concerns

Good dental hygiene is an important part of good dental health prevention, but keeping your smile healthy also requires professional cleaning and help from your dentist. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).