Dental benefits are advantageous when aiming to keep healthy. Oral hygiene affects overall well-being, not just the condition of teeth and gums. If proper dental health is not maintained, significant and expensive issues may occur. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to implement beneficial oral practices.
Proper Oral Practices
To prevent periodontal diseases and similar concerns, an individual should brush their teeth at least twice a day. Throughout the day and over the course of multiple meals, bacteria and food particles gather on the gums and teeth. Additionally, mouth bacteria can transfer to and from an old toothbrush, so it is recommended that a toothbrush be replaced every few months.
While teeth brushing does cleanse the mouth, plaque can still build up over time. Therefore, it is imperative to visit a dentist twice a year for a cleaning and check-up. Dentists can identify problem areas and offer solutions to prevent further issues.
Effects of Dental Hygiene
The state of an individual’s oral hygiene affects their overall well-being. Below are a few benefits of maintaining good dental health:
- Decreased risk of lung conditions—when an individual does not care for their teeth and gums, bacteria can travel to the lungs, negatively impacting the respiratory system.
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular issues—the body can become inflamed due to gum disease, and plaque and bacteria can progress through the gums, clog arteries, and increase the chances of heart attack or stroke.
- Decreased risk of dementia—tooth decay and tooth loss allow substances to enter the body through the gums, damaging the brain’s functions. Therefore, poor dental hygiene can lead to memory loss, increasing the risk of experiencing dementia.
- Decreased risk of diabetes—gum disease causes inflammation, which makes it difficult for the body to properly use insulin, resulting in insulin resistance and diabetes.
- Decreased risk of cancer—there is a significant increase in the risk of cancer for individuals who have gum disease and use tobacco. Research suggests certain bacteria may boost the growth of cancer cells.
Taking advantage of dental benefits improves oral health and subsequently overall well-being, which can save you time and money in the long run.