Why You Can't Ignore Mouthwash, Toothpaste
and Dental Care
With each meal and snack you eat, you're trapping thousands of food particles and millions of bacteria inside your mouth. Not using mouthwash and toothpaste only leaves these particles in your mouth to cause problems. If these particles and debris aren't cleaned away thoroughly and regularly, it's virtually guaranteed that you'll end up with decayed teeth, gingivitis (more commonly known as gum disease) or worse.
Why is that a concern? Because advanced gum disease leads to other significant health problems, most notably heart disease and damage to the body's internal organs. The latter is caused by toxins and bacteria from the mouth that enter the bloodstream and spread outward. Many people don't realize that symptoms of dental problems and disease often don't appear until the problem is advanced. Seeing a dentist regularly is critical for everyone, especially if you:
- smoke or chew tobacco
- take medication that can destroy teeth by drying out the mouth. The most common are medications that treat high blood pressure, depression, allergies and chronic pain
- have a disease such as diabetes or Down syndrome that increases your risk of gum disease
- are pregnant - the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy put moms-to-be at a higher risk of gum disease
Gingivitis occurs when dental plaque - a sticky film of germs, bacteria and food residue - is allowed to build up on the teeth. If not removed regularly by daily brushing and flossing, and using mouthwash and toothpaste, over time the bacteria harden and cause disease, making the gums red, swollen and prone to bleeding during brushing. Most gum disease is reversible with good dental hygiene, but if left unchecked, it can lead to periodontitis, tooth loss and general systemic infection.
Periodontitis, like other dental disease, often gives no warning signs. The condition causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets of infection. If left untreated, the infection eventually deteriorates the bone that holds the tooth in its socket, causing the tooth to be lost. Deep cleanings and even surgery often are required to repair the effects of periodontitis.
Follow-up your brushing by flossing, gently curving the floss around each tooth and gently scraping from below the gum line to the top of the tooth. Be sure to rinse your mouth afterward.
Finally, be sure to visit your dentist at least once a year to have your teeth cleaned and your gums checked in addition to using mouthwash and toothpaste.
The keys to success in the battle against gum disease and most oral problems are hidden in nature. Fighting the bacteria that causes the problem is the first place to start and specific species of peppermint and spearmint oils are scientifically proven to be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial. Get your mouth in mint condition today!
