Simple Facts About Harmful Oral Bacteria
You know that there are all types of bacteria in your mouth. You know, too, that some of them are harmful and that they can lead to problems like cavities and gum disease, which is why we encourage you to practice smile health protection every day with efforts like brushing and flossing. While you may have a general understanding of this “you should really clean your smile” mentality, our Cleveland, TX team thinks some extra information about bacteria and their role may help you feel more motivated about your dental care.
They Eat Sugars And Carbohydrates
The bad news in regard to the foods you eat and the harmful bacteria in your mouth: Those bacteria love sugar and carbs just like you do! So, when you’re eating something starchy or sweet, the chances are good you’re not just feeding yourself but also the bacteria in your mouth. The reason this is such a problem? When the bacteria eat that food and digest it, they secrete acids that can damage your smile health. So, you have two solutions. First, try to avoid such foods. Second, if you’re going to eat them, clean your smile as soon as you’re through.
You Can Rinse Them Away
One lovely fact our team likes you to keep in mind about the bacteria on your smile is the fact that they’re not all-powerful. You can limit their populations by remembering to rinse your mouth with water throughout the day. This will also rinse away any of the acids they’ve released, thereby offering yourself some additional smile health protection.
They Can Build Up Quickly
It’s important to remember that if you ignore your smile care for too long, bacteria will build up and you’ll be fighting a losing battle with them until you come in for care with our team. Why is this? One of the main reasons is that if you leave plaque for longer than 24 hours, it can become extremely hard, similar to concrete! All of your usual efforts in brushing and flossing will do nothing to move it. At this point, it’s called tartar. It will work against your oral health because plaque will form on top of it and the tartar itself still contains bacteria. The result? Your teeth and gums are exposed to bacteria every day that you cannot rinse or remove, greatly increasing your chance of developing gum disease or cavities. The good news? If you keep up with your dental hygiene and visits with our team, your smile stays clean.
Prevent Bacteria Related Problems With Dental Care
Come in for your dental cleanings and checkups and all of the advice you need in order to keep bacteria at bay, while you protect your smile. Call our Cleveland Family Dentistry office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We proudly serve patients and their families from Cleveland, Kingwood, New Caney, Conroe, Livingston, Huffman, and all surrounding communities.