Keeping your teeth and gums pristine should be one of your top priorities. After all, no one wants to go to the dentist to deal with expensive and uncomfortable procedures. Therefore, it is in your best interests to educate yourself about maintaining your dental health.

What Is The Purpose Of Brushing?

The main purpose of brushing is to slow down and stop the spread of plaque in the mouth. Even though you are only brushing your teeth, the process can also help maintain the health of your gums. When you eat food, small particles tend to get trapped on and between your teeth. Your tongue might be unable to reach these particles, either because they are too small or because they are firmly wedged in between your teeth. The longer that those particles sit there, the higher the odds are that bacteria can spread throughout your mouth.

What Happens If You Don't Brush?

Even though we are told at an early age that we must brush our teeth every day (or even better, twice a day), a huge number of adults actually fail to do so. 25% of adults don't brush twice a day and 10% of adults regularly forget to brush.

In some cases, a chronic failure to brush may just result in a cavity that has to be filled. In more severe cases, the infection may spread all the way to the dental pulp (which is near the nerves in your tooth and is thus extremely sensitive). That may necessitate a more extreme procedure, such as a root canal. Bacteria will also spread from your teeth to your gums, which can result in other conditions such as gingivitis.

What If You Have Sensitive Gums?

A common complaint and justification for not brushing/flossing is overly sensitive gums. While it is true that your gums might bleed a bit after the first few times that you floss, your gums will rapidly adjust to the flossing. After a week or so of consistent flossing, then the bleeding should stop.

If this sensitivity to brushing and flossing does not diminish, then you might need to acquire a specialized toothbrush that is suited to your heightened sensitivity.

What Are The Benefits And Risks Of Frequent Brushing?

By brushing twice a day, you will drastically reduce the bacteria growing in your mouth. Barring some incredible circumstances, vigilant brushing is often enough to prevent tooth damage. Some individuals brush after every meal, which can even further reduce the bacteria.

However, you also don't necessarily want to brush too much, especially if you are particularly aggressive. Forceful, frequent brushing can lead to bleeding gums, which can provide the perfect hiding place for bacteria. The last thing you want is a lingering gum infection because you were too overzealous in trying to maintain your oral health. For more information, contact a professional like those at Silverado Family Dental.