How Good Oral Hygiene Benefits Your Overall Health

 

Did you know that good oral health does more than giving a sweet, white smile on your face? Yes, it’s true. Maintaining clean and healthy teeth and gums can enhance your overall health. It reduces your risks of being afflicted with severe diseases. It can also improve your memory.

Several scientific studies show the strong link between oral hygiene and overall health. So you need to take good care of your teeth and gums to avoid being ill. It’s best to visit your dentist regularly.

There are several ways that healthy teeth and gums can keep you well. Here are some of them:

  1. It can lower your risk of heart disease. According to experts, several cardiovascular issues like heart disease, strokes, and blood vessel blockade are due to chronic inflammation caused by gum disease.
  2. It enhances your self-confidence and self-esteem. Bad breath and missing teeth can lead to low confidence, anti-social behavior, and shyness. If you have a healthy mouth, you feel good about yourself.
  3. It boosts your short- and long-term memory. Based on a study, adults with healthy mouths got higher scores on tests of memory and other cognitive skills than those with gingivitis.
  4. It lessens your risks of inflammation and infection. Studies showed there is a link between gum disease and inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
  5. It helps stabilize blood sugar levels. According to experts, people with diabetes are more prone to developing severe gum diseases. If you have a healthy mouth, you can control your blood sugar level better.

You already know some of the benefits of having healthy gums and teeth to your physical and mental health. Let us now discuss how to take care of your mouth’s health to keep it healthy.

  • Practice proper brushing techniques. When brushing your teeth, move your toothbrush in moderate, circular motions to eliminate plaque. The buildup of plaque on your teeth can lead to early gum disease called gingivitis. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too.
  • Always brush your teeth before going to bed. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least two times a day. Also, use fluoride toothpaste when brushing. But what is most important is to brush before you sleep. It will remove the plaque and germs that can harm your teeth while you are sleeping soundly.
  • Drink water after each meal to help wash away the food and beverages that remain in your mouth.
  • Eat fresh and crunchy fruits and vegetables to exercise your teeth and jaws. Also, raw foods contain healthy fibers that are beneficial to your health.
  • Refrain from eating a large amount of sugary and acidic foods to prevent the erosion of the enamel of your teeth.
  • Floss your teeth at least once a day to clean your teeth of small pieces of food stuck between them. Flossing can also stimulate your gums, remove plaque, and lessen the risk of gum inflammation.
  • Use mouthwash to keep your breath fresh. Mouthwash also remineralizes your teeth and cleans hard-to-brush areas in and around your gums.
  • Visit your dentist Yonge and Eglinton at least two times a year for cleaning and checkups. Your dentist can identify possible teeth and gum problems and treat them before they get worse.

Having healthy teeth and gums can benefit you immensely. By practicing good oral hygiene, you can maintain excellent overall health.