Imagine having to spend half your fortune to correct your teeth. » Tooth decay was a perennial national problem that meant a pittance of money for patients and a pocket of gold for dentists. » (Wallis, 17 years old) If patients do not take care of their teeth, many problems can begin to appear later in life. Some patients are unaware of the proper procedures to maintain a healthy smile. In order to maintain a healthy smile, patients need to be better informed about the knowledge needed to achieve this success and also maintain it. Hygienists are the dentists who educate their patients about the importance of oral health care. The hygienist examines any chipped teeth, filled damage, discolored or swollen gums, also takes x-rays and helps prevent tooth decay. Today, dental care focuses on prevention. Preventing tooth decay and associated problems is the primary task of a dental hygienist. Over the generations, few people are fully aware of the downsides of not properly caring for their pearly whites. This topic was brought to my attention when I noticed the lack of dental hygiene among my peers. This doesn't necessarily just mean having cavities, sore gums, but also bad breath. No one likes communicating with another person with bad, stinky breath. Bad breath is also known as halitosis, caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria are found in our mouths from drinking coffee, eating spicy foods, smoking tobacco, taking medications, suffering from gum disease and many more. “Approximately eighty-five percent of bad breath is caused by oral bacteria, fifty percent of which are bacteria on the tongue.” (Aberdour, 44) How you present yourself to society is important because it is how we express ourselves, our personality and how we love...... middle of paper ... ...I am currently in the medical field here at Carl Wunsche High School. In the future, I hope to become a dentist and have my own practice. For this to happen, I must have an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, volunteer dental work hours, and a dental license. One day, I would like to make a difference in someone else's life, like they did for me. With hard work and dedication, anyone can go far. In conclusion, patients are recommended to brush their teeth two to three times a day for two minutes to ensure that most bacteria are also removed from the teeth, gums and tongue. Flossing after every meal should also be done regularly due to leftover food stuck between the teeth. There are many types of toothpastes, but not all contain fluoride. It is important that you choose a product that contains fluoride because it rebuilds tooth enamel and also strengthens the tooth..