Did you know that your body actually benefits from keeping your smile healthy? Healthy teeth and gums not only keep your smile looking its best, best but it also helps your body feel its best. Because inflammation from tooth decay and gum disease can spread to other parts of your body and cause health problems, proper oral hygiene is a must
But what are some correlations from studies?
If you suffer from poor oral health, your body is also in harm’s way. Do you find yourself skipping your daily oral hygiene or foregoing recommended six-month dental cleanings? If so, you may be impacting more than just your smile. Keeping your teeth healthy is far more than keeping your teeth pearly white.
Oral pain
The most obvious symptoms of poor oral health are oral and facial pain. Tooth decay can be extremely painful, but periodontal disease is as well. If you have periodontal disease, the gum tissue around your teeth becomes inflamed and infected. The cause of tooth decay and gum disease is linked to buildup of plaque and tartar build-up when you fail to remove it from your teeth and gum line. Without proper dental hygiene, you will find yourself with loose teeth or tooth loss.
Digestive Issues
Since the digestive process begins in your mouth, you may find yourself unable to chew your food to break it down sufficiently. The inability to properly chew your food makes you susceptible to intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome, or other serious digestive disorders. By working to keep your smile healthy and free from decay, your digestive tract will also function properly.
Organ Issues
The link between your oral health and the major organs in your body is well established. When you suffer from oral infections, the bacteria can travel through your bloodstream and impact your vital organs, such as your heart. As your internal organs become inflamed from this bacterial infection, you can incur serious complications such as endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart’s lining.
Thankfully, there is good news to be had! As you practice proper daily oral care, your body will thrive along with your smile! By taking the time each day to brush and floss, you give your body the boost it needs to keep you healthy and active. Rounding out your oral hygiene regimen with regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings will keep you on the track to a healthy and active lifestyle.
