Why Brushing Your Teeth is a Must - Jake Hardin

                       Why Brushing Your Teeth is a Must

The Brushing Habits of Americans

According to deltadental.com, 3 out of 10 Americans do not brush their teeth twice a day, and when it comes to flossing daily this number skyrockets to about half of the U.S. population. These numbers stay relatively close when talking about teenagers as well. So regardless of age, most Americans have the same brushing habits.

You are probably thinking that if you brush at least once a day then you are in the clear, but that is in fact not true at all. Most people assume that brushing your teeth and flossing only prevents cavities and having bad breath when truly the mouth "is a gateway into your body's overall health." - ADA

There is a substantial amount of evidence that supports the claims that there is a relationship between dental health and various health conditions. This is why it is crucial to visit a dentist once a year minimum because you really never know what is going on inside your mouth (and who doesn't want great looking teeth?)

What Can Happen if you Don't Brush

If you do decide not to brush twice a day then there are many bad things to can occur because of those choices. Some are far worse than others, but I will provide a list of a few common things that you are at risk of getting if you continue to have poor dental hygiene.

1. Gum Disease - As a quick example, if your gums have ever started bleeding when brushing your teeth, then you most likely have gum disease, or at least on your way to getting it. Gingivitis is one of the most common forms of gum disease, which is what you probably have/had if you ever had bloody gums. Some people eventually get a more severe form of gum disease called Periodontitis, and trust me you do not what that! Just type in 'Periodontitis' in your web browser and you might reconsider how you go about taking care of your mouth. 

2. Cancer - Some researchers who were left unnamed found out that gum disease and dental problems are associated with HPV, which is one of the main factors in the causes of oral cancers. The bottom line is that you NEED to brush because all the bad things that could occur because you decided to not spend 2 minutes of your day brushing are absolutely not worth it. 

3.  Diabetes, Kidney Disease, Tooth Decay, Pneumonia, Bad breath (social life), and much more - I could go on and on about all the different diseases and health problems that occur due to bad dental hygiene, but I will try to keep it short by saying just brush your teeth! It is not that hard and only takes up a few minutes of your life. No one wants to talk to someone who constantly has bad breath (we all know that one guy or girl that you can not bear talking to). It is not just health problems you have to look out for, it is your social life as well. There are so many factors that come into play when you avoid doing these simple tasks in the morning and before you go to bed, so I'll end this post by saying 

"Delta Dental News Room." Recent News Releases. Delta Dental Plans Association, 23 Sept. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.

McMurray, Coleen. "Teens and Teeth: Most Brush, Few Floss." Gallup.com. N.p., 08 Aug. 2004. Web. 07 Feb. 2016.

"Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth." NIH.Com. National Institute on Aging, 28 Jan. 2016. Web. 06 Feb.   2016.