Oral Health: Looking after your teeth and gums has a large impact on the rest of your body.
Oral care is much more important than just keeping a pearly white smile. It is a key part in your overall health and well being.
Oral Health
28 February 2022
The effects of good oral hygiene on the rest of the body cannot be understated.
Your mouth, as you would imagine, is the gateway to your respiratory and digestive systems. While it contains many bacterial flora that are beneficial for your function, some of these can have detrimental effects on the rest of your body when accumulated in large amounts.
This is why it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Keeping up with these routines allows for sufficient saliva flow which aids in dispersing the harmful micro bacteria.
What conditions does poor oral health cause?
Endocarditis: This is the infection of your heart lining caused by oral bacteria penetrating your bloodstream.
Cardiovascular disease: There is a known connection between stroke, arterial clogging and increased oral bacteria.
Pregnancy problems: Studies show that premature births with low birth weights have been linked to periodontitis.
Pneumonia: If oral bacteria enters the respiratory tract directly it can have a harmful effect on your lungs. Causing a number of severe respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.
What conditions might affect my oral health?
Diabetes: The frequency of gum disease in people with diabetes is notably higher than the rest of the population. Fluctuating levels of blood sugar reduce the body’s ability to resist infection.
Osteoporosis: This is the weakening of bone density. Some medications used to treat this may carry an increased risk of jaw damage.
Alzhimers: Studies have shown links between this disease and degenerative oral health.
Informing your dentist of all your current medications and medical conditions is important to develop the best oral health plan for you.
Protecting yourself
There are some simple and easy steps you can take to protect and improve your oral care routine:
- Regular brushing and flossing and using a Fluoride based toothpaste. Especially after meals.
- Making sure you have a healthy diet that isn’t high in refined sugars.
- Replacing your toothbrush or brush head within two to three months.
- Avoiding smoking and tobacco use
- Maintaining regular dental check up twice a year.
Oral health and your body
Oral care is much more important than just keeping a pearly white smile. It is a key part in your overall health and well being. With links to the health of important organs like your heart and bones, the benefits are clear. Taking the easy steps outlined can mitigate the effects of these conditions – or avoid them entirely. Increasing the quality of you and your family’s life now and for the foreseeable future. I you have any concerns about your oral health today, call us or book a full comprehensive dental exam and receive a home teeth whitening kit for free.