3 Min and Save a Life Time of Troubles

It might seem hard to believe, but neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to a laundry list of health issues as you age. 

That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize good oral care throughout your entire life. 

Imagine a world where your mouth is a sanctuary—clean, healthy, and free from pesky bacteria that wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. It’s not just a dream! By dedicating a mere three minutes to brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, you’re taking a stand against tooth decay, oral infections, and gum disease.

Good oral hygiene is where your mouth is clean, healthy and free of harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay, oral infection and gum disease.

Brushing your teeth twice per day for just 3 minutes with fluoridated toothpaste can be effective in preventing tooth decay for everyone. This mechanically removes and controls plaque build-up, and applies fluoride to the teeth. Plus regular checkups with your dentist.

It’s hard to imagine that not keeping your mouth hygienically clean could result in so many oral and general health complications as you get older. That’s why it is so important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your whole life.

Good oral health is fundamental to overall health and well-being. Without it, a person’s general quality of life and the ability to eat, speak and socialise is compromised, resulting in pain, discomfort and embarrassment. This can negatively impact their self-esteem, which in turn can lead to restricted participation at school, the workplace, home and other social settings.

If you are a parent, keeping in mind those long-term effects of poor oral hygiene can help motivate you to keep your kids’ morning and night tooth brushing a top priority.

For children, the permanent teeth at the back of the mouth (molar teeth) can be difficult to keep clean. These molar teeth have many grooves (fissures) and pits on their surfaces that are susceptible to developing cavities. Fissure sealants may be applied to teeth to create a thin barrier that protects the sealed surfaces from cavities.

Short-Term Effects   Dental plaque   Bad breath   Gastroenteritis   Itchy skin, rashes, acne and skin infections   Less immune resistance to colds and flu

Long-Term Effects   Increased risk of serious oral inflammation and infection  Tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and tooth loss   Depressed immune system – opening the door to other types of disease   Social/psychological difficulties due to poor personal hygiene & appearance   Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pregnancy complications, dementia (incl. Alzheimer’s disease) and respiratory diseases (incl. pneumonia)