Dental CareFamily DentistryGeneral DentistryMan who understands the importance of dental hygiene

Many people exercise good dental hygiene because they want fresh breath and an attractive smile. But your oral care at home and in the dentist’s office goes far beyond providing these benefits. In fact, keeping your whole body healthy plays a significant part in the importance of dental hygiene.

Importance of Dental Hygiene throughout History

Man has long known of the importance of dental hygiene. In fact, early medical writings from as far back as 3000 BC stress why people need to take good care of their teeth and gums. People of this time used tools like toothpicks to improve their dental well-being.

By 355 BC, Ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates recommended using a dental powder to regularly clean teeth and gums. By 936 AD, Arabian surgeons had 14 dental tools at their disposal for scraping tartar from teeth. Modern dentistry took hold with new advice and a growing focus on the critical nature of dental hygiene by the 1700s.

Three Reasons for Good Dental Hygiene

Three big reasons for good dental hygiene include healthy teeth, disease detection, and disease prevention. Genetics help decides whether you suffer many dental problems, but hygiene shares in your oral health. This is why brushing, flossing and preventive care at your dentist’s office play a big part in the importance of dental hygiene.

When you visit your dentist, your preventive visits help detect early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems. You should go to the dentist for this care at least once every six months. During routine oral exams, your dentist can find signs of vitamin deficiency, acid reflux, teeth grinding, diabetes, heart problems, osteoporosis, dementia, oral cancer, and even mental health problems.

Finally, visiting your dentist helps prevent disease. Many oral infections lead to more significant health problems and whole-body diseases. Gum disease and tooth decay cause tooth loss, but also contribute to asthma, low birth weight, premature birth, arthritis, respiratory disease, heart disease, and stroke.

What is Good Oral Hygiene and Where Does it Take Place in Orlando?

Good oral hygiene means brushing your teeth twice daily. It also means flossing your teeth, using a fluoride rinse and maintaining a healthy diet. Some of your most crucial dental hygiene takes place at home. But without twice-yearly dental visits, you leave yourself vulnerable to many health problems.

Your Orlando dental care should offer access to a range of dental services. These include:

Finding this quality Orlando dental care is not as difficult as you think. Call the dental office of S. Keith Mahan, DDS now at 407-841-7241 for your first visit. While at the dentist, ask Dr. Mahan and his expert, caring team about the importance of dental hygiene. The more you know about your own oral health, the better.