How Dental Hygiene Affects Your Overall Health

Dental hygiene is more than just brushing your teeth for a shiny smile—it’s actually a key part of keeping your whole body healthy. You might be surprised at how closely your oral health is tied to overall health. Here’s how keeping your teeth and gums in good shape affects the rest of your body.

1. Heart Health

Your mouth is full of bacteria, and when your dental hygiene isn’t up to scratch, harmful bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums. These bacteria may then contribute to heart disease by causing inflammation in your blood vessels, which can lead to conditions like atherosclerosis (the narrowing of arteries) and even heart attacks or strokes.

2. Diabetes Complications

If you have diabetes, you already know how tricky it can be to keep your blood sugar in check. Gum disease, or periodontitis, can make that even harder. Poor oral health leads to inflammation that makes it tougher to control blood sugar, creating a vicious cycle. This means maintaining good oral hygiene is especially crucial if you have diabetes.

3. Respiratory Problems

Bacteria from your mouth can also end up in your lungs. This can lead to respiratory infections like pneumonia, especially in older adults or those with weaker immune systems. Making sure your gums are healthy could help you avoid serious lung infections.

4. Pregnancy Risks

For expectant moms, taking care of your teeth is also important for your baby. Poor dental health has been linked to premature births and low birth weight. Keeping up with regular dental check-ups and cleanings can lower these risks.

5. Links to Alzheimer’s and Dementia

There’s growing evidence that gum disease may be linked to cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease. Bacteria from the mouth can travel to the brain, leading to inflammation and possibly playing a role in the destruction of brain cells.

How to Keep Your Mouth (and Body) Healthy

The good news? Most of these issues can be prevented by sticking to some simple dental care habits:

• Brush twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to remove food and plaque from between your teeth.
• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.

Try to avoid tobacco and limit alcohol, both of which can harm your oral health.