If You Have Good Dental Health
Your teeth and braces are more than just a source of beauty — they help you eat, speak, and express your feelings. Poor oral health can lead to pain, infections, and disease that can affect your overall well-being. Good oral health includes a regular routine of brushing and flossing, eating a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water, cutting back on alcohol, and not smoking.

The mouth is home to a complex microbiome that contains both beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and harmful bacteria that can cause infection and illness. Keeping up with your daily oral hygiene routine helps to reduce these bacteria and prevent them from building up on the teeth as a sticky film known as plaque.

Brushing and flossing removes this film, reducing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Drinking fluoridated tap water and using a toothpaste with a high fluoride content also can help.

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Regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth can help prevent periodontal (gum) disease, which begins with gum inflammation and can advance to bone damage and tooth loss. Gum disease increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and complications during pregnancy. It may even contribute to rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine can be as simple as making sure that you are brushing your teeth for two minutes twice per day and flossing once a day. You should also swish and rinse with fluoridated water, and avoid sugary drinks and snacks to keep your teeth healthy.