Dr. Jennifer Vitarelli

Why Brushing Your Teeth Twice a Day is Important

brushing-teeth-twice-a-dayOne of the staples in your life should be brushing your teeth twice a day, but surprisingly as we grow older, we get lazier and assume it’s not that big of a deal.

But on the contrary, it’s very important! There are many reasons as to why it’s vital that you brush your teeth twice a day, some of them you might already know, and some of them are less commonly known. Here are some reasons as to why you should brush your teeth twice per day:

Keeping your breath fresh

  • If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, you will build harmful bacteria in your mouth which can cause a multitude of issues, including bad breath – if you want to prevent bacterial diseases, you should always brush twice a day.

Brushing twice per day stops gum disease

  • If you don’t brush regularly, then you have a good chance of building up plaque on the teeth you neglect, when this happens, the baseline of your teeth will become yellow, which is the first sign that gum disease is near – this can lead to more serious illnesses like gingivitis, you can prevent this by brushing twice per day.

No teeth stains

  • Toothpaste contains ingredients that remove debris and bacterial stains, if you don’t brush regularly, your teeth will keep the yellowness and may develop into more serious illnesses.

You’re less likely to die

The bacteria that are built from your mouth can enter your blood if unchecked, this increases the chance of heart issues, along with an increase of cholesterol in the arteries. If you don’t brush twice a day, then the chances of a stroke or heart attack increases.

You’ll be more attractive

  • If we’re honest, nobody wants to kiss someone that has bad breath or food inside their teeth, you should be flossing to remove food from your teeth, and brushing regularly to prevent bad breath.

You save money long-term

  • It’s much cheaper to prevent bacterial infections or oral issues, hospitals and doctors are expensive, if you brush only once a day, you’re greatly increasing the risk of diseases, which will result in your medical bill being higher than it should.

At Vitarelli Dental, we can ensure that you maintain a healthy set of teeth with a yearly checkup, this helps us fix any issues that might arise before it’s too late, and it gives you peace of mind.

We’re based in Madison & Saddle River NJ – get in touch today to see how we can help.

What to Expect – Dental Visits

What Happens During a Dental Visit?

Firstly, it is important to look for a dentist that will make you feel comfortable. Once you’ve found a dentist you like, your next step is to schedule for a check-up before a dental issue occurs.

When you visit a dentist for the first time, they will collect your health history. On future appointments, if your health status has changed make sure to tell them specifically what has changed, so that they can evaluate you again if needed.

Most dental appointments are having a checkup. Regular checkups (ideally every six months), helps your teeth stay cleaner, stronger and prevents painful problems from occurring.

 

A thorough cleaning

A complete cleansing is always included in a checkup, either from your dentist or a dental hygienist. Using special instruments, a dental hygienist will scrape below the gum line, removing built-up plaque and tartar that causes gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Your dentist or hygienist may also floss and make your teeth shine!

 

A full examination

Your dentist will undergo a complete examination of your teeth, gums and mouth to look for signs of disease or other emerging issues. They will aim to help maintain your good oral health, and to avoid problems before they become serious.

 

X-rays

Depending on your age, there are chances that potential diseases and symptoms will come up on your routine checkup, your dentist may recommend X-rays. X-rays can determine problems such as damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors, and decay between the teeth. A high-tech dental clinic that uses machines will release no radiation. For assurance, you should always wear a lead apron when having an X-ray. If you are pregnant, tell your dentist, as X-rays should only be performed in an emergency situation.

Your dentist may request for a panoramic x-ray, or panorex. This type of film gives a complete view of your upper and lower jaw in a single picture, this helps the dentist examine your entire mouth and see where the issues specifically are.

 

How Long Should I Visit?

If your teeth and gums are in good condition, you don’t need to return for three to six months. If additional treatments are required, as an example, to treat a cavity, remove a wisdom tooth, or repair a broken crown, you should make an appointment before leaving the office. Don’t forget to ask your dentist any questions, this is your opportunity to get knowledge on your dental hygiene.