Not only does having bad oral health affect your teeth, gums and overall functionality of your mouth and jaw, but it can also affect your general health. Here are just a few benefits of practicing good oral hygiene that will help you live a long, healthy life.
Improves Gum and Heart Health
Inflammatory gum disease and increased risks of heart disease have been linked in multiple studies. People who are experiencing periodontal disease are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack than people without the disease. Extended bacterial exposure, which is the common cause of gum disease, can increase inflammation levels throughout the entire body, leading to an increased risk in cardiovascular disease and heart attack.
A Healthier Pregnancy
Making sure you have good oral hygiene is even more important when you’re pregnant. Studies have shown that pregnant women with poor oral hygiene have a higher risk of delivering a preterm infant with a low birth weight when compared to pregnant women with good oral hygiene. Preterm babies have a higher chance of developing asthma, ear infections, birth abnormalities and more.
Gum Disease and Diabetes
Individuals suffering from diabetes are more likely to experience gum disease. However, it’s also been shown that serious stages of gum disease can also contribute to the development of diabetes due to its effect on your blood glucose levels. With periodontal disease, the toxins that are produced by the infection can increase blood glucose levels. To keep this from happening, eat a healthy diet, brush and floss your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist regularly.
Detect Oral Cancer Early
Visiting your dentist regularly means that early detection for certain oral health issues will be more effective, including early signs of oral cancer. Dental professionals are trained in identifying signs of cancer during your checkup, specifically by looking at your gums, lips, tongue and cheeks for any suspicious changes. Waiting too long between check ups makes you more vulnerable to developing advanced stages of oral cancer.
Effectively Lose Weight?
The act of regularly brushing your teeth sends a signal to the rest of your body that you’re finished eating for the night. It also helps with portion control, in that you’ll brush your teeth after eating a nutritious meal so you aren’t tempted to go back for seconds. Food doesn’t usually taste very good after giving your teeth a good brushing with a minty toothpaste. It’s an effective way to push aside your late-night snack cravings as well.
At Westney North Dental Clinic, we want our patients to feel welcomed and relaxed when they step into our Ajax dental centre. With services that include dentures, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, implants, preventative dentistry, orthodontics, emergency care and much more, our dentists in Ajax are environmentally conscious, cutting down on the use of paper and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. Be sure to call or visit our website to book an appointment.
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