Oral hygiene is extremely important. Many people mistakenly focus purely on the appearance of their teeth, without realizing that if they aren’t healthy, how they look is irrelevant. Decay, gum disease, and other issues that arise because of poor oral hygiene can lead to pain, the need for restorations and in some cases, even tooth loss. While it’s possible to replace missing teeth with artificial alternatives, it is far better to preserve your natural teeth for as long as you feasibly can. Good oral hygiene can also play a part in maintaining your overall health and wellness. This is because moderate to severe gum disease has been shown to be a common problem among patients with conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and more.