We always hear that brushing twice a day is important for impeccable oral health. However, why is that? How do brushing and flossing help you with your oral health? Before we discuss the importance of brushing, let’s learn about the potential danger our teeth have to face.
Tooth Decay And Its Causes:
Tooth decay is caused by a strain of bacteria known as S.mutans. These bacteria colonies are found near the gum line and make up a major part of the plaque (a thin sticky film on your teeth). After coming in contact with sucrose, S.mutans release some acid to break down the sugar.
Interestingly, the majority of the food we eat has an ample supply of sucrose and sugars. Thus, if they are left dangling behind, it’s a treat for S.mutans. Accordingly, S.mutans act on the sugars and release acid. The acid demineralizes the tooth leaving behind pores. Eventually, the pores enlarge into holes known as cavities.
Gum Diseases And Its Causes:
Plaque also plays a critical role in common gum diseases such as gingivitis. Two major culprits are Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis. They tend to harm gum tissue by the toxin they produce. This results in inflammation of the gum tissue. Hence, the more they multiply, the more toxins they produce. Resulting in chronic inflammation, swelling, and tenderness of the gum. However, if the population of these bacteria seeps down, they damage more tissue. This causes gums to recede and eventually can result in bone loss.
Importance Of Brushing And Its Part In The Equation:
Thorough brushing for 2 minutes at least two times a day is all it takes to stave off oral problems. Brushing removes the plaque buildup on your teeth and near the gum line. Furthermore, it also dislodges stuck food particles from the crevices in between teeth and narrow fissures. Similarly, flossing also helps to clear out food remains from difficult-to-reach areas. It’s very important to remove food remnants as they are a major food source for cavity-causing bacteria.
With the removal of plaque and food remains, brushing takes care of gum diseases and cavities. However, that’s not all; brushing can help strengthen your enamel if your toothpaste contains fluoride. Nonetheless, our water sources are treated with fluoride, so you get the fluoride you need from your food and drink. On the contrary, if your water source lacks fluoride, you can opt for fluoride toothpaste after guidance from your dentist.
Finally, brushing also helps you mask your bad breath. Hence, brushing twice to thrice times a day will ensure that bad breath won’t bother you.
Conclusion:
Brushing and flossing are rudimentary of oral hygiene. Without this, you can only expect a plethora of oral issues. However, brushing and flossing is more of a precaution than a cure. If you have cavities and severe gum disease, you must visit a dentist to cure your issues. Thus, for all your oral issues, you can rely on premium care. Call Bayside Dental at 979-330-4113 to learn how we can help you out.