Importance of Mouth Care

Proper brushing, flossing, and dental cleaning visits are important for maintaining a healthy mouth. Without the proper care, mouths, teeth, and gums can develop various inconvenient, painful, unsightly and costly problems.

Appearance

• Improper mouth care can lead to stained or missing teeth and swollen or bleeding gums.

Bad Breath

• If your mouth is not cleaned regularly, bacteria can build up. These bacteria release sulfur compounds that can give off an unpleasant odor, often noticeable to those to whom you speak.

Plaque

• Not brushing your teeth can cause plaque to build up. The bacteria in the plaque make acids that wear away the protective enamel on teeth.

Cavities

• Allowing plaque to sit on teeth can cause teeth to rot and develop holes. Cavities must be filled by a dentist, or they can lead to increased tooth decay, abscesses, or tooth loss.

Gum Problems

• Plaque left on teeth too long can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist. Tartar can cause gums to be sensitive and bleed easily. Gum disease will develop if sensitive gums become infected, and may lead to teeth becoming loose or disconnected from the gums.