How Daily Dental Care Can Help Your Overall Health

Daily dental care covers oral hygiene, diet, and preventative measures that protect the teeth. Keeping your teeth clean and watching what goes into your mouth can only help with your general health. Better still, taking care of your teeth limits your interactions with the dentist. The following is a breakdown of simple oral habits to keep you healthy at little cost.

The basics of daily dental care

A few minutes is all it takes to work oral hygiene into a daily routine. Brushing twice or thrice a day will take less than ten minutes. Flossing takes another ten minutes, give or take. This brings the total to 20 minutes, and that is on the higher side. Twenty minutes out of 24 hours is a small price to pay for healthy teeth.

The second aspect of daily dental care is nutrition. A healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals is good for the whole body, including the teeth and gums. It also helps to stay away from sugar and refined carbohydrates. This seemingly small decision lowers the chances of cavities and tooth decay.

Good oral habits also include moderation when it comes to food and drinks that stain the teeth. Avoiding tobacco also goes a long way to keep the mouth and the rest of the body healthy.

The two-way link between oral and systemic health

The mouth is its own ecosystem. It is host to different types of bacteria, some of which are harmless or even beneficial. The mouth also hosts harmful bacteria whose numbers need to remain low. A clean and healthy mouth should only have minimal levels of harmful bacteria. However, poor oral habits give harmful bacteria free rein, which results in:

• Plaque and tartar buildup
• Cavities
• Moderate to severe tooth decay
• Mild, moderate, or severe gum disease

The four oral health problems in the list are symptoms of bacterial infection. Now, the mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body, which is why ingesting harmful substances can cause sickness and even death. This gateway can also introduce harmful mouth bacteria to the rest of the body. The effects vary, but here are the most common ones. 

1. Gum disease and pregnancy

There is a two-way link between gum disease and pregnancy. The first is a correlation between periodontal disease, premature birth, and low birth weight. This link implies that women who suffer from gum disease are more likely to deliver a preterm baby or a child with low birth weight. On the other hand, hormonal changes during pregnancy can also trigger gum disease.

2. Gum disease, inflammation, and heart disease

Periodontal disease implies a high bacterial load in the oral cavity. The bacteria can make their way into the bloodstream. The bacteria could proceed to affect the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

There is also a link between high blood sugar and gum disease. Studies show that a person who manages their periodontal disease has a better chance of controlling their blood sugar levels.

3. Weak immunity and oral health

Conditions like diabetes and HIV weaken the immunity, leaving the body vulnerable to infection. A weak immune response can leave the mouth unable to fend off an attack from harmful mouth bacteria. This can result in conditions like sores, oral thrush, and gum disease.

4. Healthy lifestyle choices, oral health, and systemic health

Eating a nutrient-rich diet that is light on sugar and refined carbohydrates goes a long way towards preventing poor oral health. The same goes for avoiding tobacco and moderating alcohol intake. Not only does a healthy lifestyle ensure a healthy mouth, but it also ensures a healthy cardiovascular system.

Regular dental checks also help with dental care

Taking care of your teeth should include routine dental checkups that happen every six months. Our dental clinic is happy to provide the preventative care that comes with a routine checkup. You should get in touch with our office to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mysaratogadentist.com or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at (518) 675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Care in Saratoga Springs, NY.