Brush for two minutes twice a day, every day, for the rest of your life. For some people, it doesn’t seem that important. For others, they miss brushing a few times and get out of the habit. Many stick to this routine religiously. The question remains, is it really necessary to brush and floss every day, twice a day?
Weeding Out the Problem
Consider why a gardener keeps removing weeds from their garden. If the weeds stay, they multiply and become more destructive, ruining the flowers and other plants the gardener wants to keep. It’s similar with your teeth — like weeds in a garden, bacteria and plaque constantly multiply, overtaking your mouth and ruining your teeth. Brushing and flossing “weeds” out the bacteria and plaque so they don’t cause damage.
Sadly, any gardener will tell you that keeping weeds away is a never-ending task. Weeds are relentless, so the gardener is always reducing their presence to the lowest possible level so they can’t take hold. Leaving the garden alone for a week’s vacation often results in sprouted weeds, already endangering the plants. It takes extra time and effort to remove the weeds, and the gardener might need to replace ruined plants or flowers.
When you don’t brush or floss for extended periods, plaque covers your teeth while bacteria multiply, usually resulting in bad breath and discolored teeth. As time goes on, the bacteria increase exponentially, getting deeper between the teeth and gums where brushes and floss can’t reach. They eat away at your enamel and gum tissue, leading to periodontal disease, cavities, and tooth loss — and that means tooth replacement. Bacteria can even gain access to your bloodstream, causing infections linked to pneumonia, heart attacks and diabetes. Regular brushing and flossing keep bacteria and plaque at the lowest level possible, so they don’t have a chance to proliferate.
Don’t Forget Professional Help
When a gardener needs help, they seek an experienced professional at a specialized shop or the gardening section of the local hardware store. The professional gives them tips and pointers, perhaps guiding them to specialized tools or materials to protect the health of their garden. With your oral health, the Yuba City Dentistry Group happily takes up that role — but we don’t merely discuss your “gardening” project and give advice. You bring your oral “garden” into our “shop,” so our experienced Yuba City dentists can inspect it and help you “weed out” any problems before they “take root” (or takeover roots). We also offer tips and pointers, and treatments designed to prevent the “weeds” in the first place — like extra cleanings, fluoride treatments to harden teeth and destroy bacteria, or dental coatings to prevent cavities.
The Ends Justify the Means
What does a gardener get for vigilantly keeping weeds away? How about healthy flowers with vibrant colors and fragrant aromas, tasty fruits and vegetables, and a swell of pride in the beautiful garden they’ve maintained! Likewise, a regular routine of brushing twice a day and flossing gives you fresh breath, whiter teeth, healthy gums, and confidence in your accomplishment — a healthier, brighter smile!
The Yuba City Dentistry Group is happy to help you maintain and even improve your oral hygiene routine, giving special attention to any “gardening” issues you might have. Please give us a call or schedule an appointment online.
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