Nine Ways Oral Hygiene Helps Keep Your Body and Mouth in Connection

The oral cavity is an environment of multiple types of bacteria. Some are good, (yes, some bacteria are our friends), and some are bad.  Dentists everywhere will tell you that the buildup of harmful bacteria leads to dental decay that result in toothache and costly repair. Many of these bacteria build up and cause gum disease which is the entrance link for bacteria to go into the bloodstream and the body. When you are under stress, the body produces more acid which creates the perfect environment for the development of oral ulcerations and tooth decay. When your body is weak, the oral defenses are also weak.

What does the American Academy of Periodontology Say?

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has made efforts to educate the public on the link between oral health and overall health. The AAP encourages research on the mouth-body connection and promotes rapid treatment and prevention of oral disease to allow for improved overall health. There is a direct link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, premature birth, and other systemic diseases. More research by the AAP uncovered that certain inflammatory conditions can be aggravated by periodontal disease, like Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

What does the American Dental Association Say?

The American Dental Association (ADA) tells reminds of the vital link between a healthy body and a healthy mouth. If you want to look great and feel better, they suggest opting for good oral hygiene. They recommend that you clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner and brush at least twice a day. If you wear dentures, remember that bacteria stick to them as well. It is best to remove them at night and keep them fresh and clean. Drinking plenty of water, according to the ADA, provides fluoride that teeth need to ward off decay. Remember that most bottled water does not contain fluoride but you can buy fluoride drops to add at a drug store. Specialists advise us to change our toothbrush every three or four months due to bacteria build-up that can occur.  Probably the best advice from the ADA is to keep regular dental checkups and have pride in your smile.

What do Cosmetic Dentists Say?

Dr. Wayne Sutton, a cosmetic dentist recognized as an Official Dentist with the Mrs. Globe and Mrs. USA Pageants, recommends that you can learn the best ways to take care of your teeth and gums with a good dental consultation and regular dental checkups. Understanding how oral health in turn affects other body systems is the most important aspect of a good oral hygiene plan. The mouth-body connection is not just about you looking good and having a pretty smile, it is about you feeling good and preventing diseases.

How Good Oral Health Boosts Mouth-Body Connection

Self-Esteem and Confidence

Believe it or not, when you have a good looking set of teeth and pleasant breath; it will positively affect your confidence and self-image. Good self-esteem helps fight depression, deal with stress, and makes you happier overall.

A Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Because chronic gum inflammation is associated with the development of cardiovascular problems, researchers are saying there is a direct cause-and-effect. Again, these findings go to show how good oral health equals good overall health.

A Reduction of Infection and Inflammation in Your Body

Yes, we get infection and inflammation in our body via our teeth. If we have gum disease or decay, the bacteria enter into the bloodstream and then the blood takes that bacterial all over the body. By eating well, brushing and flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly, you can combat this problem and improve your general health status. Once study from the Journal of Periodontology found that there is a direct link between periodontal disease and pulmonary conditions, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

A Well-Preserved Memory

A recent report in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry found that adult with gum disease have worse memory and cognitive skills than those with healthier gums and mouths. A 2007 study published by the Journal of American Dental Association found a relationship between those who lost teeth before the age of 35 and an increased risk for dementia.

The Fertility Connection

This may sound strange, but the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology discovered that gingivitis (swollen, bleeding gums) and other periodontal disease causes women to have difficulty becoming pregnant.

Prevention of Diabetes

More data has been uncovered through animal experiments that suggest having good oral health if you are prediabetic will slow or prevent the progression of the disease. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar stable is a battle. If you have gum or mouth infections, this will result in elevation of your sugar reading. Reducing gingivitis, tooth decay, and periodontal disease reduces your risk of infection and helps control blood sugar in diabetics.

Better for Baby

If you are pregnant, Science Daily reports that bacteria from your mouth can pass on to your unborn child that is in the womb. It might result in a low-birth weight baby, premature onset of contractions and premature delivery, or infection for the baby. The Society for General Microbiology tested 57 newborn babies from mothers with poor dental hygiene and found 46 different species of bacteria in the samples.

Cancer Prevention

Some forms of cancer become aggravated when gum inflammations result in body inflammations. Not to mention that oral cancer and pancreatic cancer are more likely to develop among those persons with bad oral hygiene. He warns us that prevention is the best way to ward off this process.