8 Health Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene has benefits beyond preventing cavities, as our skilled dentists at Oakstone Dental would like you to know. These are but eight of the surprising advantages of practicing proper dental hygiene.
1. Better-looking gums
The microbiome in your mouth is diverse and made up of many different types of bacteria. Both potentially hazardous bacteria that might cause infection and disease and beneficial bacteria that aid in food digestion can be found in this ecosystem.
Regular brushing and flossing reduces the bad bacteria in your mouth and gets rid of the food particles that feed these species, maintaining a healthy balance between them. Neglecting your dental hygiene might lead to the growth of dangerous bacteria in your mouth. In the event that this occurs, a material on your teeth called plaque may form.
Gum disease can result from gum inflammation brought on by plaque accumulation. Gum discomfort, bleeding, swelling, loose teeth, and tooth loss are all possible side effects of gum disease.
2. A lower chance of a heart attack
Sadly, germs don’t always remain in your mouth. Alternatively, it may travel through your bloodstream to every part of your body.
This can cause sensitive arteries in your heart to narrow, increasing your chance of having a heart attack. Gum disease can raise your chance of having a heart attack by about 50%.
3. More robust lungs
There are other pathways for bacteria from your mouth to enter the rest of your body besides your bloodstream. It is also possible to breathe it in through your mouth. This can result in respiratory infections, which can cause pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, two of the biggest causes of death World wide.
4. Reduced risk of diabetes
Diabetes type 2 is a potentially fatal blood sugar condition that can lead to impairment and possibly premature death. It appears when your blood sugar levels stay too high, either as a result of insufficient insulin production or improper insulin utilization by your body. This hormone facilitates the body’s usage of blood sugar as fuel.
According to studies, persons with gum disease have a 50% higher risk of Type 2 diabetes than people with healthy gums. But why is there a connection? Inflammation brought on by gum disease interferes with your body’s ability to use insulin as intended. Insulin resistance is the name given to this illness.
5. Lower Risk of Cancer
Gum disease has been linked to some cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Although the exact relationship is yet unknown, some researchers hypothesize that bacteria could accelerate the growth of cancer cells. There might also be connections to other types of cancer. If you smoke and have gum disease, your chances of developing these conditions can rise dramatically.
6. A lower likelihood of infertility
In fact, as a woman, dental health can affect a woman’s capacity to conceive. According to one study, women with gum disease actually waited two months longer than those without the condition to become pregnant. Men are not exempt from dangers, either. Poor sperm and semen health can be caused by gum disease and tooth rot.
7. Pregnancy that is safer
Your dental health continues to be a risk to your fertility after conception. It may also impact your unborn child. Research indicates a link between poor dental health and two major pregnancy risks: preterm birth (birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and low birth weight (birth weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces).
In general, babies that are born full-term and at a healthy birth weight have a higher chance of thriving.
8. More success with weight loss
To aid in your weight loss efforts, consider enhancing your dental hygiene. A vital component of excellent general health is maintaining a healthy weight, which can lower your risk of various issues, including:
Elevated blood pressure
Heart conditions
Cancer
Diabetes
Stroke
In addition to serving as a signal that you’ve completed eating, brushing your teeth can assist prevent overindulging in desserts and late-night nibbles by leaving your mouth feeling clean and minty.
Please Contact Us to book your next oral health checkup. We are here to help.
