We all know that good dental hygiene is important. After all, everyone loves to have fresh breath and white teeth, but did you know there’s a lot more to it than that?
Your dental health is tied directly to your overall health. Beyond the way your mouth looks, if you fail to care for your teeth, you're at risk for serious illness.
When bacteria and germs are allowed to thrive in your mouth, they can spread to the rest of your body.
3 Serious Conditions Linked to Bad Oral Care
1. Premature Birth
Studies have shown a direct link between poor dental health in pregnant mothers and a higher risk of preterm birth. This has been blamed on inflammation caused by the dental infections in the mom.
2. Heart Disease
The American Heart Association says there is no direct link between dental disease and heart disease. But they also say that the mouth’s health is a very good measure of heart health.
If a person has a lot of plaque and redness in their gums, they're likely to be at risk for heart disease too.
3. Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection in the heart’s inner lining. It's caused by germs and infection that enter the body from elsewhere. They often come from the mouth.
So, not taking care of your dental health puts you at risk for health problems.
Conversely, certain conditions put you at higher risk of oral disease. These include:
- Osteoporosis – This condition is a weakness in the bones. It's often linked to bone loss in the mouth, and can even lead to loss of teeth. You can make changes to your diet that will keep bones strong. Keep in mind that there are some drugs to treat this disease that can work against jaw health.
- Alzheimer’s disease – People who have Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain conditions often forget to brush their teeth and take care of their gums.
- Diabetes – Diabetes has a big impact on almost all of the body’s systems and organs, and this includes gum health. People with diabetes can’t control their blood sugar levels. This can lead to poor dental and oral health.
- HIV/AIDS – Mouth ulcers are one of the most common symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
There's no doubt that you can protect your health by making sure that your oral hygiene is on point.
Top Steps to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
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Make sure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Make sure that you floss your teeth every day.
- Pay attention to the foods that you are eating. Avoid foods that are high in sugar (especially sodas) and turn to fresh produce and vegetables.
- Don't use the same toothbrush for more than 3 months.
- Consider the use of an electric toothbrush.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Make sure that you schedule appointments with your dentist on a regular basis and follow all of your dentist’s instructions and recommendations.
One last tip that serves to care for your teeth and your waistline.
Have you thought about brushing and flossing when you get a food craving? It busies your hands and mind and once you're done you may not want to lose that minty fresh clean feeling by eating. Some say this works especially well for late night cravings.
Here are 4 more ways to stop late night snack cravings.
Yours in health and happiness,
Danette
P.S. Please share this with your friends who may not realize that dental health impacts the whole body. Did you realize that neglecting your dental care could put you at risk for disease?
