Most Important Reasons You Should Brush Your Teeth

Many people brush their teeth simply to keep their breath fresh and their smiles attractive. Although keeping your teeth clean is essential to maintaining a more aesthetically pleasing smile, there are far more reasons to brush your teeth after meals.

Brushing your teeth after meals is a great way to save money at your next professional dental cleaning. Every time you eat or drink, the bacteria in your mouth are also eating. They produce an acidic byproduct that attacks the enamel on your teeth and irritates the gums. Brushing removes the plaque in which they live. If you fail to clean away plaque, the acid attacks will ultimately compromise your dental health and result in you needing extensive dental treatments to correct the problems.

Brushing regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar buildup and is often diagnosed at a routine dental checkup. If you have red, swollen or irritated gums or you frequently suffer from unexplained bad breath, you may have the earliest stage of gum disease, which is known as gingivitis.

Brushing and flossing your teeth can help you protect your overall health. Gum disease has been associated with cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and pregnancy complications. It can also lead to tooth loss, which can result in poor nutrition.

The reasons you choose to brush your teeth aren't nearly important as the fact that you do it regularly. Brush at least two times a day or after each meal, floss daily and visit Dr. Bijan Afar DDS, Los Angeles dentist, twice a year for checkups.