The importance of dental hygiene can’t be understated, but in your busy day-to-day life, a few reminders might help to keep you on the right track with your oral care. Since there is no doubt that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your entire body, oral hygiene should always remain a top priority in your regular routine.
The Serious Health Threats of Poor Dental Hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is linked to a wide range of serious yet avoidable health problems. When the bacteria in your mouth is not kept under control with regular brushing, flossing, dental visits, and healthy eating habits, it reaches dangerous levels in the mouth and leads to the formation of gum disease. Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a serious infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth, which makes it a major cause of tooth loss in adults. According to the American Dental Association, chronic periodontitis affects 47.2 percent of all adults over 30 in the United States!
However, gum disease and other oral problems don’t stop their destruction at the mouth. Research has shown that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases are linked to the mouth and poor dental hygiene, including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and pancreatic cancer. This puts dental hygiene and care in the unique position of being able to prevent and alleviate serious physical conditions.
As research continues to uncover connections between oral and general health, it has become undeniable that dental hygiene is a cornerstone to overall wellness. For example, women with gum disease show a great incidence of preterm, low-birth-weight babies, and people with poor oral hygiene demonstrate an increased risk of developing heart disease. A neglected mouth can even interfere with healthy digestion since problems chewing lead to irritable bowel syndrome and other disorders.
Safeguard Your Health: Take Actions to Improve Your Dental Hygiene
Maintaining great oral hygiene isn’t difficult, it just takes a bit of time and attention. Begin with the basics by brushing thoroughly at least twice a day for two minutes with an electric toothbrush, flossing at least once a day, scraping your tongue clean, and visiting your holistic dentist twice each year. There are other simple measures you can take to ensure strong oral hygiene, like using coconut oil for oil pulling. This ancient technique pulls bacteria from your teeth and gums, kills bacteria that causes tooth decay, and reduces gum inflammation. Just swish for 15 minutes, spit the oil out, and prepare to be impressed by the results.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is also key. Certain foods strengthen your teeth, like dark green leafy vegetables and fermented foods with probiotics help fight tooth decay. Vegetables contain important vitamins, and fish and eggs offer high phosphorus levels. Healthy crunchy foods like carrots and almonds also help to stimulate saliva that clears bacteria from your mouth.
Of course, visiting your local holistic dentist twice a year is also essential to maintaining oral hygiene and preventing disease. Natural and Cosmetic Dentistry in Clearwater, Florida is a holistic dental practice that offers gentle, conservative, and natural treatments to help patients protect and improve their overall health and wellness. Call 727-888-6523 today to make your appointment.
