Saturday, September 19, 2020

Oral Health Is Overall Health


You’ve just taken a bite of an apple when you feel that dreaded crunch. No matter how hard you try to rationalize what that noise could’ve been, you know in your gut that it’s a chipped tooth. Now, you might think it’s just bad luck, but what if it’s not? Believe it or not, how you care for your teeth impacts your overall health and vice versa.

Let’s stick with our example of a chipped tooth.

While chipped teeth do happen accidentally, your teeth might actually be vulnerable to breaks and cracks if you have an underlying health condition, such as cavities, heart disease, osteoporosis, or hypertension (high blood pressure). On the other hand, having an oral health condition like gum disease or tooth decay puts you at risk of potentially serious health complications, including stroke and diabetes.

A healthy mouth doesn’t just mean good teeth that look white and straight; it’s also having healthy gums that can effectively hold your teeth in place for years to come.

Here are a few ways you can ensure your dental health and overall health remain in their best shape possible:

Brush Your Teeth

You should brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes twice a day to keep plaque and bacteria buildup at bay. To improve your oral health, try brushing your teeth after every meal.

Floss Regularly

Ideally, you should floss after every meal to remove debris from the small crevices of your teeth.

Follow A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet isn’t just good for your waistline. It also helps prevent chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, tooth decay, and gum disease. Calcium-rich foods, leafy greens, and lean protein keep your teeth and gums strong while maintaining your overall health.
Visit Your Dentist

Visiting your dentist for a dental exam and teeth cleaning at least once every 6 months is essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing serious complications, like gum disease or oral cancer.

Stop Using Tobacco
The nicotine and tar in tobacco products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco aren’t just bad for your body health. They can also eat away at your tooth enamel and gum health, leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol has been linked to oral cancer, tooth decay, and even halitosis (bad breath). In addition, too much alcohol can damage your liver and contribute to heart disease.

Drink Plenty of Water

A healthy body needs plenty of water to keep running. Saliva helps remove plaque, bacteria, and debris from your teeth. If you’re dehydrated, your saliva supply will start to run low. For optimal oral and overall health, make sure you’re drinking between 11 and 16 cups of water per day.

Use Flouride-Based Products

Fluoride helps protect your teeth from damage and tooth decay. Using fluoride-based toothpaste and mouth rinse lowers your risk of cavities.



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