Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a worthy goal in and of itself. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease—and can help you keep your teeth!
Dental hygiene is very important for more reasons that just your appearance. Oral health is linked to overall health in a number of ways, and it can directly affect your risk for other medical conditions and diseases.
Good dental health is a combination of proper daily maintenance (brushing and flossing) along with regular visits to your dental care professional.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
There is a definite connection between oral health and overall health. Poor oral health can lead to medical conditions and diseases, as well as chronic infection. Some of the common health problems that stem from poor oral hygiene include:
- Bacteria or infections traveling from your mouth through the body attaching to areas of the heart
- Cardiovascular disease, which has been statistically linked to failing dental hygiene
- Premature birth and low birth weight, which can be a direct result of periodontal disease
- Pneumonia, which can occur when bacteria or infection from the mouth travels into the lungs
To avoid these and other complications of medical health, it is vitally important that you protect your teeth for years to come.
Reducing Risk of Disease
In addition to preventing the above medical conditions, having good dental hygiene will help you reduce your risk of other diseases. There is an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease when you have gum disease or poor dental hygiene. You are also at increased risk of diabetes if you have gum disease or poor oral health.
Studies have also found that your risk of certain types of cancer are decreased when you have good oral hygiene. Having good dental hygiene can also decrease your risk of developing dementia in your later years.
Of course, it is also important to protect your smile for the sake of your appearance. You want your teeth to last for a lifetime so that you can enjoy proper nutrition and have improved self-esteem. If you want to make sure that your dental hygiene practices are adequate, contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
