The advantages of good oral hygiene are well-known. To prevent foul breath, tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and costly dental treatment, brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis! But did you know that maintaining good dental hygiene on a daily basis can provide a slew of additional health advantages? Here are 9:
- A Health Diagnostic Tool – Oral health has been defined as a window to your general well-being, just like the eyes are recognized to be the window to the soul. Dentists are critical in the early detection of many health issues, as oral symptoms often appear earlier than other problems. If your oral health is poor, you may experience a number of manifestations that are difficult to identify. If you maintain healthy oral hygiene, your dentist may diagnose you or refer you to a specialist if any signs appear.
- Healthier Brain Cells – The medical proof connecting poor oral health to brain problems has been established and is continuing to grow. In fact, the germs that cause gingivitis have been discovered in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Gum disease, on the other hand, has been linked to dementia in certain studies. Poor dental health, according to other research, can lead to memory loss and cognitive function impairment as early as age 30.
- Less Prone to Diabetes and Complications – There is a strong link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Some data suggest that people with gum disease are more prone to diabetes. Gum disease is a frequent diabetes side effect that can exacerbate blood sugar management due to the higher mouth bacterial levels.
- Reduced Risk of Heart Disease – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 25% of all deaths each year. Oral health problems contribute significantly to these statistics. Bacteria that have made it into the circulation may cause atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of arteries as a result of plaque build-up.
- Better Lung Health – Bacteria from your mouth can travel via the air you breathe and enter your circulation in a variety of ways. In fact, non-smokers with periodontal disease were found to be considerably more susceptible to lung illness than non-smokers with healthy gums, according to a recent study.
- Lower Risk of Kidney Disease – Gum disease increases your risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Periodontitis may progress to acute kidney failure in individuals who have kidney disease.
- Less Joint Inflammation – Periodontitis encourages an inflammatory atmosphere in the body, which puts your health at risk. It can also lead to, or exacerbate, chronic inflammation illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Less Risk of Cancer – Although it may not be a guarantee, good oral hygiene lowers several cancer risk factors, including those caused by oral bacteria in the circulation. There’s also some evidence that inflammation makes people more likely to get cancer in those regions.
- Better Fertility and Healthier Pregnancies – In both males and females, periodontal disease has been connected to infertility. Gum disease-causing germs can also reduce the effectiveness of estrogen and progesterone in women, which means that fertility treatments may be ineffective or even counterproductive. Gum disease, even the mildest sort, is known to cause early deliveries and low birth weights.
Optimize Your Oral Health Care
Taking good care of your teeth and gums is not only important for your oral health but also for your general health and long life. Taking care of your teeth and gums starts at home, but it must be continued with regular visits to the dentist.