Good oral health is important when it comes to keeping your gums healthy and teeth strong. What you probably don’t know is that it also plays an important role in your overall health too. Problems with your oral health can negatively impact the rest of your body. Your mouth can also act as a gateway to the rest of your body and can tell your doctor a lot about the state of your overall health.
How Are Oral Health And Overall Health Connected?
Your mouth can act as an entry point for more than just food and drinks. Certain diseases and bacteria can also find their way into your body through your mouth as well. If you have an ongoing issue with gum disease, harmful bacteria in your mouth can start to enter your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body, such as your heart. According to WebMD, “by combing through 1,000-plus medical histories, researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry found that people with gum disease were twice as likely as others to die from a heart attack and three times as likely to have a stroke.”
Please note that those who have HIV/AIDS or diabetes need to take extra precautions when it comes to their oral health as their body isn’t able to fight oral infections as effectively, which could make things worse.
How Can You Improve Your Oral Health?
The first rule of thumb to improving your oral health is to keep a consistent oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time and floss at least once a day. There are a few other best practices you can follow if you want to optimize your oral health:
- Use mouthwash after brushing your teeth.
- Limit your sugar intake.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months.
- Visit your dentist on a biannual basis.
- Check your mouth for any irregularities.
- Avoid smoking tobacco.
Take Control Of Your Oral Health In Burnaby
If you want to improve your general health, achieving a healthy smile is a great place to start! If you haven’t visited a dentist in the past six months, we encourage you to call +1 (604) 423-3737 or schedule an appointment online. You can also ask one of our team members about other ways to improve your smile, including Invisalign or cosmetic dentistry. New and existing patients are always welcome!