DENTAL HYGIENE AFFECTS EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR BODY
By taking proper care of your teeth and maintaining good oral health, you’re also contributing to the wellbeing of your entire body. And that’s because the two are intertwined. For example, analysis of saliva can shed light on what’s going on within your body and spot symptoms before they become problematic.
Good dental hygiene reduces the risk of health complications such as heart attacks and strokes. Essentially, not acting responsibly with your oral health will be detrimental to your overall health. But how does your mouth affect your entire bodily health? Read on and find out.
WHAT’S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND MY BODY?
Your mouth allows doctors to take a glimpse at what’s going on in the rest of your body. A lot of times, when a patient goes in for a physical examination, their doctor will look into their mouth as part of the routine. This is done, in part, as a way of looking for early warning signs of any potential illness or complication. Studies have shown that 90% of all systemic diseases will show oral signs and symptoms.
Eighty percent of adults in America have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This kind of condition opens the door for further complications. For instance, having gum disease increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, head and neck cancer, and makes you two times as likely to die from a heart attack, and three times as likely to die from a stroke. Additionally, having gum disease makes you more vulnerable to pancreatic and kidney cancer. There’s also a direct correlation between diabetes and gum disease, where the condition may throw off a patient’s blood sugar levels.
While these facts can seem daunting at first, it’s important to reiterate that oral health affects your entire wellbeing. Bacteria in your mouth can make its way to other parts of your body. Much in the same way the nutrients you consume orally benefit your body, oral bacteria can have a similar but detrimental effect.
Simply put, good oral hygiene promotes better health in all its aspects. That’s why we encourage you to take care of your teeth in the most responsible way.
MAINTAIN YOUR ORAL HEALTH WITH THE HELP OF YOUR DENTIST
Given the risk that everyone faces when it comes to dental wellbeing, we cannot overstate the important role of your dentist. Scheduling regular checkups is the best way to identify any symptoms and maintain your oral health.
Remember to:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily.
- Use floss once daily.
- For mouth rinse and other products, be sure they have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Come see us regularly for your routine check-ups. Removing built-up tartar is key to maintaining healthy gums and teeth. While we usually recommend check-ups twice a year, if you have any sort of ailment in your mouth at the moment, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We are committed to you and to your oral health, and the only to give you the care you deserve is if you come and see us. So reach out today — we look forward to hearing from you.