The effects of proper dental care go beyond beautiful pearly whites. According
to studies, a healthy oral cavity has a direct effect on a person’s overall
health. If you brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly, you are likely
to minimize plaque buildup.
In general terms, plaque is a thick deposit of minerals formed when bacteria
act on food particles that linger in the mouth as a result of improper dental
hygiene. Plaque that is allowed to accumulate hardens and harbors even more
bacteria, which release acids that hasten tooth decay as well as gum infection
or periodontal disease.
Gum infection poses yet another set of problems. For instance, infected
gum tissue may soon start receding, thereby weakening the very foundation of
the teeth. The teeth may soon start to fall off the moment the infection
reaches a tipping point.
Plaque is also now associated with cardiovascular disease. A study
published in Circulation: Journal of the
American Heart revealed that people with high levels of disease-causing
oral bacteria in their blood were more likely to have clogged carotid arteries,
a prerequisite for stroke and heart attack.
To prevent tooth decay or gum infection caused by plaque buildup, make
it a point to visit your dentist at least twice a year for thorough tooth
cleaning and the appropriate treatments. You can then take each visit as an
opportunity to undergo a cosmetic dentistry procedure such as teeth whitening,
particularly if your teeth appear badly stained after years of neglect.
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