Did you know that your oral health is a window to your overall health? Good oral health is vital for maintaining good physical health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to several health problems like heart disease and stroke. It’s essential to make sure you are taking good care of your teeth and gums to maintain good overall health!
However, many people these days neglect their oral health outcomes because they don’t understand how important good oral hygiene is. Below are two reasons why good oral health matters:
Oral health outcomes and good physical health
Your mouth has a direct connection to your body, which means that any problems in your mouth can affect other parts of you, too! In addition to causing bad breath or gum disease, poor dental care can lead to heart disease and stroke if left untreated. Bacteria from infected gums enter into blood vessels when they’re inflamed enough due to injury caused by plaque buildup on teeth over time.
This can cause inflammation throughout the entire circulatory system, including arteries (which supply oxygenated blood). It doesn’t take long for these harmful germs to spread all around the body and cause serious problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, to name a few.
The good news is that good oral health is within reach for most people if they follow these simple steps: Brush twice daily using fluoride toothpaste; floss once per day; see your dentist regularly (at least every six months); eat healthy foods, and limit sugary drinks like sodas or juices.
Oral health and self-confidence
Your oral health can also profoundly impact your self-esteem and confidence. When you take good care of your teeth, they look good and feel good. This makes it easier to speak or smile without embarrassment or worry.
When you neglect your oral health, the result can be gum disease that causes painful bleeding gums when brushing, flossing, etc. Those who suffer from tooth decay might eventually need replacement teeth once theirs are too far gone.
These examples can make individuals more self-conscious about their appearance and less likely to feel comfortable smiling or speaking in public. They might even be embarrassed when with friends or family members who might have good oral health, leading to social isolation.
Good Oral Health for Good Overall Health
Your mouth is the gateway to your entire body, so it needs good care just like every other part of you does! When you take good care of your teeth and gums—and see a dentist regularly—you tend to enjoy better overall physical (and mental) well-being than those whose poor oral hygiene leads them into more significant problems down the road.
If you haven’t been paying attention to the state of your mouth, you’re missing out on an essential part of good health. Indeed, good oral hygiene is suitable for your entire body!
Oral Health Outcomes and the Body’s Immune System
Our mouths are full of bacteria—most of them harmless. But when that bacteria builds up in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene (not brushing or flossing enough), it can lead to infections like gingivitis and tooth decay.
These problems often start small, but without proper treatment, they will quickly get worse. They can even spread throughout the entire body through your bloodstream if left untreated long enough.
Therefore, everyone must pay close attention to their oral health and maintain good hygiene habits to avoid these potential health problems.
Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease
But good oral health doesn’t just affect our immune systems. It can also have a positive impact on our cardiovascular health!
Studies have shown that people with gum disease are at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. One study found that the risk of heart attack increased by almost 50 percent in those with gum disease!
The research is still ongoing, but scientists believe that the bacteria which cause gum disease might also cause inflammation throughout the body, including in the arteries leading to the heart. This inflammation can lead to a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
Dealing with Risks
With these risks in mind, it’s essential to do your best to achieve good oral health outcomes. First and foremost, you need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily.
You should also use an antibacterial mouthwash twice daily to kill the bacteria that cause gum disease. It’s best if you can do this in conjunction with brushing and flossing so that all three actions happen at once!
It is also crucial for pregnant women or people who smoke cigarettes regularly to see their dentist more often than the rest of us because these are two factors that put them at greater risk for gum disease (and other oral health issues).
If there is any sign of bleeding gums when brushing/flossing, it’s time to make an appointment right away. Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease, the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States.
By prioritizing your oral health, you are promoting better health outcomes. This will help keep you looking good and feeling your best for years to come!
