Many people only associate oral health with dental visits, cavities, and daily oral hygiene practices. The whole umbrella of dental health creates a much bigger picture. When we have oral health issues, it can cause overall health problems that can negatively affect our life.
Since oral health is not taken as seriously as full-body health, these problems often go unnoticed until it causes a bigger impact. That is why it is important to practice good oral habits and maintain regular dental visits to ensure a strong smile and overall healthy life.
Your mouth is the gateway to your overall well-being, so you should take your oral health just as seriously as the rest of your health.
To find out more about your oral health and how to take better care of it. Call our office today and meet with our dental team.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
Of course, a dental office would already want you to take good care of your dental health—but scientific research has shown a strong correlation between poor oral health and various systemic health conditions. Some of these connected problems are:
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Diabetes
- Respiratory problems
These issues are correlated to gum disease but there are many more dental health problems that contribute to overall health issues. This is because as bacteria grows in the mouth, it eventually will enter the bloodstream and reach the rest of the body.
Preventing Dental Problems with Good Oral Hygiene
A good way to protect your smile is through proper dental hygiene such as brushing twice daily, flossing, and mouthwash. In order to diagnose and start treatment on dental problems, you need regular dental visits with a professional team.
Early detection is imperative to keep the oral health issue from affecting the rest of the body. It is recommended that you schedule a checkup every 6 months with a dentist to ensure that your oral health is good.
The Role of a Balanced Diet
Just like in your overall health, your diet is important in keeping strong oral health. Some good food to add to your diet to enrich your smile are:
- Calcium (found in dairy products)
- Leafy greens
- Almonds
- Vitamin C (found in fruits and vegetables)
These foods will strengthen enamel, gum health, stimulate saliva production, and your teeth allowing you to live life to the fullest. Some foods that you should limit in your diet are sugary and acidic foods because they cause enamel erosion and increase the risk of cavities.
If you have more questions about what types of food are good for your oral health and which ones are not, call our office today to find out more.
Regular Dental Checkups
In addition to aiding in detection, dental appointments are needed to remove stubborn tartar and plaque that is stuck on the tooth that is not removed with regular brushing. This will protect your teeth from developing more issues in the future. During your visit you will have an oral cancer screening which could end up saving your life.
Protecting Oral Health at Every Age
When you have young children it is hard to ensure that they are practicing good oral hygiene. Our dental team can help instruct parents and children so that they know how to clean their smiles properly and make brushing a good experience. Dental sealants and fluoride are great for any age but are especially important to protect young kids’ oral health.
Then as we get older, we may experience gum recession, tooth sensitivities, porous teeth, and reduced enamel so it is once again important to be dedicated to regular dental visits and proper dental hygiene.
Take Care of Your Oral Health—Call Today!
To start or continue on your dental health journey, schedule an appointment with our dental team and protect your overall health as well.