We are committed to continuously improving access to our goods and services by individuals with disabilities. This website is currently being updated to enhance the usability and experience for persons with disabilities. If you are unable to use any aspect of this website because of a disability, please call 603.890.4004 for Salem or 978.358.8576 for Newburyport and we will provide you with prompt personalized assistance.

Artisan Dentistry's Blog

Four Side Effects to Not Brushing Your Teeth

Dec 21st, 2022

Dentists around the world encourage brushing your teeth at least twice a day, every day. But why? Aside from the cosmetic perks of brushing your teeth, there are many additional health benefits to keep your pearly whites… well… pearly white!

Halitosis

Most obviously, brushing your teeth daily wards off halitosis (popularly known as bad breath)! Brushing helps remove the food left in your mouth after a meal. When leftover food particles aren’t dislodged by regular brushing, the enzymes in your saliva begin to break them down. An odorous, sulfurous compound is produced while your saliva cleans up your leftovers, creating an overall bad smell in your mouth. Brushing twice a day helps to disrupt this process and keeps your breath fresh and clean!

Bacteria

When you don’t take the time to brush your teeth before bed or after breakfast, you’re allowing bacteria to thrive in your mouth. Not only is this a distasteful prospect, but it results in plaque buildup along your gums and between your teeth. Regular brushing is a daily battle with bacteria and continually disrupts the build-up of plaque. If plaque is left unchecked for too long, it turns into tartar. Tartar is a tough, thick, yellow staining that causes bleeding and inflammation to your gums. Tartar is resistant to usual brushing habits and complete tartar removal usually involves a visit to your dentist. Aside from being unsightly and difficult to remove, tartar is the typically the first step towards major oral health problems.

Tooth Decay

Unbridled tartar can create serious problems in your overall oral health. Plaque and tartar work together to eat away at your teeth and gums, allowing other, nastier bacteria deeper access to your gums. Teeth that continually make contact with tartar will weaken and decay over time, potentially leading to cavities and tooth loss.

Disease

Bacteria and tartar with prolonged access to the gums can infiltrate the bloodstream and cause serious health problems-and not just in your mouth! Not only is poor dental hygiene a direct cause for periodontal disease, but it’s also linked with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), heart attacks, pneumonia, dementia, and respiratory infections.

Brushing your teeth twice daily is an important step in disrupting the slippery slope of tartar and plaque build-up. Leaving the bacteria in your mouth unchecked could lead to severe health consequences down the road.

Warranty

Our 5 Year Warranty

Anyone can train to be a technician, but few have the talent to become an artist. That’s why Dr. Mathew is able to guarantee his cosmetic dentistry work for a full 5 years. If anything goes wrong with the work, Dr. Mathew will fix it free of charge, as long as you continue with your regular 6 month preventative care cleaning and check up for the duration of the warranty.

Treatment Room

Individualized
Treatment Rooms

Our individualized treatment rooms and operatories provide patients with maximum privacy and comfort. The treatment rooms were built specifically with your comfort in mind.

Schedule Appointment (Paginated)

  • Fill out the form below.
Choose Location

Salem, MA

Call Now

Newburyport, MA

Call Now

Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

X

Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

X

The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.