General Dentist Sydney

Many people don’t realise that your oral health has effects that reach far past your mouth. While having a healthy mouth by preventing tooth decay and gum disease is good enough reason in itself to commit to caring for your teeth, there are many other compelling reasons to brush and floss. An unhealthy mouth, especially one with gum disease, may increase your risk of serious health issues including heart attack, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes, and preterm labour.

If you don’t keep your teeth clean through regular brushing and flossing, plaque begins to accumulate along the gum line creating an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria between your teeth and your gums. This bacterial infection is known as gingivitis and, left unchecked, it can lead to more serious gum infections. The tissue of infected gums becomes fragile, breaking and bleeding easily during normal tooth brushing and flossing or even while simply eating. This provides the bacteria a port of entry into your bloodstream where they can reach other parts of your body. Especially if you have a previously weakened immune system, these bacteria may cause you to develop infections in other regions of the body.

With only a few simple steps you will experience improvement in your oral health. You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again. The best thing you can do for improved oral health is to build the habit of brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing once a day, and making sure that you’re using proper brushing and flossing techniques. Experiencing bleeding while brushing and flossing is a sign of gum disease and if it doesn’t go away within several days, it could be a sign of a more serious issue requiring the help of a dentist. The journey to better oral health also absolutely must include regular visits to the dentist’s office. Dr Tinney will be able to tell you whether you need more advanced treatment in order to achieve an optimum level of oral health.