Basic dental care involves brushing
and flossing regularly, eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting
your dentist for regular checkups.
Practicing proper dental care:
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Prevents tooth decay: Tooth decay is damage to the enamel
of your teeth. It occurs when acids produced by bacteria
in dental plaque eat away at a tooth ( tooth anamoty foto
.) The disease process that causes decay is also called
dental caries.
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Prevents gum (periodontal)
disease (Periodontitis foto ), which can damage gum
tissue and the bones (bones foto )that support teeth,
and can ultimately cause the loss of teeth. For more
information, see the topic Gum Disease.
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Shortens time with the dentist and
dental hygienist and makes the trip more pleasant. |
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Saves money. By preventing tooth
decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings
and other costly procedures. |
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Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing
and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause
bad breath. |
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Helps keep teeth white by preventing
staining from food, drinks, and tobacco. |
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Improves overall health. |
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