Oral health plays a pivotal part in overall wellness. When dental issues arise, seeking treatment is imperative. However, many overlook tending to their teeth’s needs. Moreover, poor oral hygiene enables harmful bacteria to spread, which can cause disease in other parts of the body. This article looks at tips for staying on top of your dental health.
1. The Oral-Systemic Health Connection
Good oral health isn’t just about having a nice smile and fresh breath. Research shows that oral health affects the health of your entire body. Here are the indications for your body.
Gum disease can lead to heart disease. It causes inflammation, damaging blood vessels and leading to heart attacks and strokes. This is why maintaining oral health is so important.
Oral bacteria can spread through the bloodstream. Harmful bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums. These bacteria is linked to pneumonia, heart infection, and low birth weight babies.
Oral health indicates disease progression. Dentists can detect over 120 signs and symptoms of diseases like HIV/AIDS through the mouth. Changes in oral health may signal the progression of many diseases.
2. Dental Care and Cleanings Matter
Colgate recommends seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups. During such visits, they’ll spot problems before one feels pain. Early treatment prevents more complex issues.
Tartar and plaque buildup can only be fully removed through professional cleaning. This prevents cavities and gum disease. Here are ways you can maintain your dental health.
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing correctly is a massive first step. Properly brushing and flossing are great for avoiding dental disasters. When brushing, take your time and hit all areas of your mouth, especially along the gumline where plaque lurks.
Use gentle circles, and don’t rage brush, or you can damage your enamel. Flossing gets up between your teeth where your brush can’t reach to remove food bits and plaque. You could also opt for using a water flosser to reach the area normal flossing can’t.
What you put in your food affects your oral health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables can help clean your teeth as you chew. Dairy products provide calcium to strengthen your enamel, but avoid sugary or acidic foods and drinks that can lead to cavities and erosion.
3. Avoiding Consequences of Neglecting Dental Care
An astonishing 15 million people with missing teeth in the United States need bridge and crown replacements. That massive number indicates a widespread lack of proper dental care. Maintaining dental health remains essential because improper care leads to tooth loss, impacting abilities like chewing, speaking clearly, and smiling confidently.
Neglecting dental care can lead to several common problems. These include tooth decay and cavities. Not brushing and flossing allows plaque to build up. This plaque can cause acids that eat away at tooth enamel. This erosion creates holes known as cavities, and without treatment, the decay can continue until the tooth must be removed.
Gum disease is a result of inadequate oral hygiene. Gums can get reddened, bloated, and delicate and start bleeding with little provocation. If left untreated, mild gingivitis can advance to severe periodontitis, inflaming and damaging the tissues and bones that support the teeth. Eventually, this progressive gum disease can result in tooth loss.
Tooth loss happens due to irregular dental cleanings, checkups, and poor daily oral hygiene habits. This allows decay and gum disease to reach advanced stages, necessitating the extraction of compromised teeth. Slightly over a quarter (26%) of adults in the U.S. have untreated tooth decay. Tooth loss can negatively impact speech, eating, self-confidence, and quality of life.
Getting your teeth checked and cleaned regularly helps spot problems early and saves money. Your dentist can also give your teeth a solid scrubbing to remove plaque buildup in spaces your toothbrush can’t reach. Neglecting dental hygiene invites plaque buildup, enamel erosion, cavities, and inflamed and bleeding gums. If neglected, failing to address these troubles can prompt tooth loss and systemic health snags. So book those dental appointments, even when you aren’t feeling it. Your future self with fresh breath will thank you.
