08 Mar Healthy Mouth is a Gateway to a Healthy Body
Many people don’t realize it, but your oral hygiene routine is an important part of your body’s overall wellness regimen. Brushing and flossing at home and seeing your dentist twice a year will go a long way toward keeping your body in optimal condition, along with your smile.
In particular, gum disease appears to have some relationship with certain systemic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and even some types of cancer. Gum disease is also associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, like preeclampsia. The underlying mechanism of these correlations remains unclear, but inflammation contributes to all of these issues and is likely to be a factor.
Seeing your dentist twice each year, in addition to brushing twice a day and flossing daily, is your best protection against gum disease. When your smile is monitored regularly for symptoms of gum disease, it’s much more likely that the disease will be identified early before it has the opportunity to do much damage. Additionally, the professional cleanings that you receive at these visits eliminate bacteria-containing plaque and tartar that may still build up in the spots of your smile that it’s tough to clean thoroughly with a toothbrush and floss alone.
Of course, in between your trips to the dentist, you should be brushing and flossing as directed. Make sure that you’re using proper technique so that you get the full benefit of this activity.
In another aspect of the relationship between oral health and overall health, a complete smile unaffected by tooth loss is better equipped to chew a nutritious diet featuring fresh fruits and vegetables and the many nutrients that they contain.
If you want to stay as healthy as possible, make sure that your oral health is as much of a priority as other aspects of your wellness routine. If you’ve gotten off track with your dental appointments, contact our team at Friendly Dental Care to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.