5 Frustrating Consequences of Failing to Maintain Your Oral Hygiene

fillings

One out of every 10 individuals admits that they regularly forget to brush their teeth. This is definitely understandable since most people seem to live very busy lives these days. Still, neglecting proper oral hygiene can result in many negative consequences. Here are a few examples.

  1. Cavities
    Many people have already endured a cavity at some point in their life, but if you haven’t, good job! Cavities occur due to tooth decay, and they can become painful if left untreated. Most of the time, cavities are treated with fillings, then crowns and caps are placed over the top of the fillings to protect the tooth.
  2. Periodontitis
    Another common dental problem that occurs due to poor dental health is gum disease. Periodontitis happens due to plaque accumulation culminating in a bacterial infection. Gum disease starts with gingivitis. If you notice your gums bleeding more than once, contact a dentist as soon as possible.
  3. Discoloration
    Drinking too much coffee or red wine, smoking cigarettes, or simply neglecting good brushing habits can result in yellow teeth. This can be unsightly and cause self-consciousness.
  4. Enamel Decay
    Another source of yellow teeth is the degradation of enamel. While coffee and cigarettes effectively dye your teeth a yellowish tinge, enamel decay from sugary drinks and poor brushing habits reveals the natural yellow color of dentin, which is beneath your enamel.
  5. Oral Cancer
    If you notice any lumps in your mouth, whether you believe it is cancer or something else entirely, contact your dentist immediately. Dentists will be able to identify the lump in question and start a treatment strategy. As with any form of cancer, catching it early is everything.

As you can see, oral hygiene is incredibly important to one’s overall health. Failing to maintain a twice a day brushing and flossing habit can land you in the dentist’s chair more often than you otherwise would need to be. While fillings for cavities are fairly routine, the more severe version, a root canal, is anything but easy. Bad oral hygiene can result in a lot of pain, unattractive teeth, and potentially even cancer. That’s why you need to form good dental care habits.