Is dentistry only about treating problems in a patient’s mouth? For us dentists, it is never that superficial. First of all, due to the nature of our profession, we must warn and inform our patients before diseases occur.

Our mouth is not only the entry point for food; it is also the entry point for bacteria, microorganisms, and viruses into the body. Throughout the day, all the foods we consume—drinks, meals, chocolates, biscuits, fruits, vegetables—leave residues on our teeth and eventually reach the digestive system. As we brush our teeth and pay attention to oral hygiene, we prevent such disease-causing microorganisms from living, multiplying, and progressing in the mouth.

Let’s consider the opposite.

We consume many foods throughout the day. It would be nice if we could count or track everything we eat from breakfast onward. But we don’t, and constantly something enters our mouth. We recommend brushing teeth twice a day (after breakfast and before going to bed) so that food residues do not remain on teeth and between them. Because when these residues remain in the mouth, they decay, decay, decay and lead to bacterial formation. If these bacteria are not removed, they multiply in the moist oral environment and begin to affect nearby teeth and gums. Bacteria around the teeth form plaque, also known as tartar. As tartar accumulates, it becomes harder to remove with brushing. As teeth are not cleaned, bacteria progress in the mouth and cause tooth decay; decay can enter the tooth canal and may also inflame the gums. Unfortunately, inflammations are not limited to the gums. Through the bloodstream, they can spread to the brain, heart, kidneys—in short, the entire body.

One day you may have a heart attack, and the cause may be insufficient oral and dental hygiene. You may experience an unexplained miscarriage during pregnancy, and the reason may be inflammation in your gums. Your rheumatic disease may be caused by a dental problem. Even if these do not seem like very likely examples today, they are possible health issues that may appear tomorrow.

In fact, your teeth do not want to tire you too much. There are 4 steps you need to follow:

Brush your teeth twice a day (after breakfast and before going to bed),
Clean between your teeth with dental floss after brushing,
Maintain overall oral hygiene with mouthwash,
Do not skip your 6-month dental check-ups and have professional dental cleaning.