Most people take their dental health for granted, assuming that the occasional toothbrush and floss will suffice to keep them healthy. In reality, though, your teeth, gums, and jaw are part of your body’s most important systems and when they aren’t healthy, it can cause problems in other parts of your body as well. By practicing good oral hygiene on a regular basis and getting regular checkups with your dentist or a TMJ specialist Albuquerque, you can keep your mouth healthy and prevent some serious health issues down the road.
Prevents Heart Conditions:
A healthy mouth is not only important for your teeth, but your gums and the rest of your body. According to healthcare experts, gum disease is linked to a higher risk for heart conditions. In fact, people with gum disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease than those without it.
The inflammation that leads to gum disease also causes an increase in cholesterol levels which makes plaque more likely to stick around in the body. Plaque buildup can lead to calcification or hardening of the arteries which blocks blood flow and increases the risk for stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular events. This makes good oral hygiene all the more important.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer:
In addition to the obvious benefits of healthy teeth and gums, including a beautiful smile and confident self-image, regular dental care helps reduce the risk of cancer. Mouth cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in people.
Oral hygiene reduces the risk of mouth cancer by preventing infection with various oral bacteria that can cause serious problems like gum disease, which can trigger malignant changes in cells that may eventually lead to cancer. By brushing and flossing daily, you will remove harmful plaque from tooth surfaces and keep your breath fresh.
Prevents Tooth Loss:
Tooth loss is a common problem that could be caused by tooth decay, gum disease, or injury. When you lose your teeth, it can affect your quality of life and limit what you are able to do. For example, you may have difficulty chewing food and speaking in complete sentences.
You may also suffer from low self-esteem because missing teeth make it difficult to smile as broadly or as confidently. On the other hand, keeping up with oral hygiene helps protect against tooth loss.
Good For Mental Health:
Research shows that the appearance and health of teeth can affect one’s self-esteem and body image, which can lead to poorer mental health. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will help keep your mouth clean, healthy, and white. The makes you feel confident to face the world. Studies have shown that people with bright smiles were found more attractive by others than those with discolored or missing teeth. Teeth whitening Albuquerque is a great solution provided by dentists for individuals who’d like to get a brighter, healthier smile.
Improves Digestive Health:
The bacteria in our gut have been shown to have a profound effect on our health, and studies have linked poor dental hygiene with digestive health issues. For example, studies have suggested that people with gum disease are more likely to experience abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Oral bacteria can also be transferred to the mouth through kissing or chewing food without properly washing one’s hands. Furthermore, unhealthy gums can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease by increasing inflammation throughout the body. So, it is imperative to maintain good oral hygiene for better digestion.
Healthy Childbirth:
Women today are becoming more educated about the importance of having a healthy pregnancy. The most important step in the process is to have a healthy diet and exercise routine before getting pregnant. It’s also important for women to have good oral health before and during pregnancy.
A woman may be more likely to develop gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure if she has gum disease. Poor oral health is also linked to premature delivery and low birth weight babies. This explains how good oral health is an absolute necessity for pregnant women.
Maintaining good oral health may be the last thing on your mind when you want to improve your overall well-being, but it should actually be one of your priorities to lead a healthy life. Your teeth are as important to your body’s well-being as any other organ because they assist in everything from chewing and digestion to producing hormones and expressing emotions. Get in touch with the best dentist in Albuquerque NM if you would like to know more.