Everybody knows the saying that prevention is better than cure. Nowhere is this more true than with regards to oral hygiene. In the rest of the body illness and disease can strike no matter what the patient’s lifestyle. Even the healthiest of patients are still susceptible to most diseases. However, when it comes to dental hygiene, effective cleaning and maintenance can prevent both tooth decay and gum disease. While there are treatments available for both gum disease and tooth decay, ask anybody who has suffered from either and they will certainly tell you that a few minutes a day looking after your teeth is far more preferable to hours of painful, uncomfortable and costly repair work and treatment.

Dentists advise all patients to brush their teeth for three minutes twice a day and to floss at least once a day. It is also important to use a brush that is suitable for your teeth. A Leeds dentist will be able to advise you which kind of brush will be most effective for your teeth. Brushing and flossing are the first line of defence against all forms of decay and oral disease and their importance cannot be underestimated.

If patients do not brush and floss regularly enough then it allows plaque to build up in the mouth. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris that attacks the enamel of the teeth causing decay and cavities. If this decay is allowed to continue it will eventually reach the pulp of the teeth which will be become infected and destroyed. This will eventually lead to tooth loss and the spread of infection to other areas in the mouth, not to mention being excruciatingly painful. If the infection is allowed to enter the bloodstream in the mouth it can also lead to a more widespread infection of the body and even contribute to heart disease.

The oral cavity is one of the dirtiest places in the human body. This is an unpleasant thought but nevertheless true. Over 500 million bacteria call the moist and warm conditions in the human mouth home. Not only can this bacteria cause disease and decay, but it is also responsible for over 90 per cent of cases of bad breath. So brushing and cleaning are not only good for your health but also your social life. Bad breath is caused by decaying food matter that releases foul-smelling sulphurous compounds that can easily be removed by effective cleaning.

Good oral hygiene doesn’t involve too much of a sacrifice. Effective cleaning and regular check ups with a Leeds dentist can help to keep all forms of disease and decay at bay and could save you from a lifetime of unpleasant dental problems.