Since June is Oral Health month, now is a great time to consider the state of your oral health! Oral health care is an important part of your overall health. Good oral health benefits not only your smile, but also your overall quality of life. From increased self-confidence and overall wellbeing, a healthy smile can truly transform your visual appearance while improving the health of your mouth and body.
Maintaining your oral health has an important role in both dental health and daily living.
• Teeth help us chew, speak and give our face its shape.
• If your mouth is neglected the bacteria from your mouth can make its way into your bloodstream and increase your chance of a heart attack or stroke.
• Poor oral health increases your risk of developing dementia by a third.
• Gum disease has been shown to increase the chance of premature birth and low birth weight. It can also be one of the many causes of delayed conception and impotence.
• Any gum disease can make it harder to control your blood glucose. The relationship between serious gum disease and diabetes is two-way. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.
Here are some tips to help maintain good oral health:
• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, including once right before bed
• Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help strengthen tooth enamel
• Changing your toothbrush regularly helps in cleaning the teeth properly
• Make sure to clean the surface of your tongue to remove bacteria
• Remove food particles that are left behind from brushing by flossing once a day
Diet and your oral health
• Consume calcium, such as milk and cheese, to help maintain your teeth’s enamel
• Limit soda, as it will damage the enamel
• Be aware that foods such as pasta sauce and berries can also color teeth
• Enjoy your favorite sweet foods and drinks, but remember that brushing our teeth or rinsing with water after eating can help maintain the health of your smile
• Coffee + Red Wine can stain teeth
Visiting your dentist
• Visiting your dentist at least twice per year, or as often as is recommended for your unique dental health
• Getting a regular professional cleaning will remove plaque, tartar buildup and staining from your teeth
• By visiting the dentist regularly, our staff will be able to detect any oral health concerns early and offer treatment options
The health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. When your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is also good. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems as well. If you did not have enough reasoning to visit the dentist before hopefully this information has changed your mind.
