It may come as a surprise, but oral health significantly impacts overall health. In this article, we discuss how issues that form due to improper dental hygiene can lead to complications in other areas of the body. We also offer up ways that you can protect yourself from disease by taking up daily habits that will ensure that your oral health and overall health remain in top condition.
Bacteria and its Impact on Health
Your mouth is the gateway to your digestive and respiratory systems. When you engage in regular brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist, you take active measures to ensure that mouth bacteria stays under control. When you neglect your dental health, however, bacteria can grow and wreak havoc on your mouth and the rest of your body. When we ingest foods and medications that increase acidity and reduce salvia, we encourage bacterial overgrowth and its consequences.
These practices, along with regular visits to the dentist, can prevent decay, disease and teeth whitening.
Vulnerabilities to Disease
Health conditions also impact how well your body responds to oral hygiene. Diabetes, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease are vulnerable to bacterial overgrowth, as they impair the body’s ability to resist infection. Poor dental health is linked to complications like premature birth, endocarditis, and cardiovascular disease. These diseases significantly reduce the quality of life and increase the risk of mental illness.
Teeth Whitening and Oral Care Practices
If you are concerned your diet is playing a role in the worsening of your oral health, consider eating a diet reduced in sugar and other acid-forming foods. By removing foods and beverages that contribute to staining and discoloration, you’re reducing enamel deterioration, making it possible for any teeth whitening efforts to stay put for longer. You can also maintain your teeth whitening results by replacing your toothbrush every month. Drink an adequate amount of water to flush out toxins. Water helps to remove debris and build-up that can counteract the bleaching effects of your teeth whitening. Furthermore, you can also practice teeth whitening by using teeth whitening strips or devices that promote brighter coloration.
Disease Prevention Practices
Twice a day, brush, floss, and use an effective mouth rinse. Also, remember to see your dentist for regular visits. Going to the dentist is important because these professionals have the expertise to detect any issues inside the mouth. When you catch the potential disease early, your chances of recovering smoothly are much more significant. Invest in a quality probiotic that contains both probiotics and prebiotic bacteria. When we cleanse through oral hygiene practices and dietary changes, we offset the balance of bodily bacteria. Probiotic supplements make it easier to maintain a proper balance of bacteria.
The Bottom Line
How well we take care of our oral health will impact how well we feel as a whole. It is important to remember the role that bacteria plays in our bodies so that we can maintain a holistic perspective on caring for our dental health. The human body is a machine, with each part affecting the other. When one area falls short, so does the entire machine.