You don’t need us to preach to the choir, but it’s common sense to carry out good oral hygiene frequently. However, we’re all guilty of letting this fall to the wayside every now and then, especially when our lives get a little busy.
Even if we brush our teeth twice a day, it’s also important we keep up with flossing and gargling just as regularly. So with all this in mind, how can you maintain the best possible routine? And if you don’t, how can it impact your overall health if you let it slip? In this post, we run you through what you need to know.
Your oral health can reveal a lot about your overall health
Your mouth is a great indicator towards what is going on throughout the rest of your body; it can act as a way to detect early signs and symptoms of disease. Although mouth conditions tend to form in this area, it’s important to remember that they can go on to impact other parts of your body as well.
In fact, 90 percent of the time, systemic conditions are often first apparent within the mouth, showing visible oral symptoms before any other physical indications. By monitoring your oral health and staying on top of related hygiene, you can make sure you’re keeping your entire body in tip-top condition.
You can become more prone to infection
If you don’t brush your teeth and floss regularly, you’re likely to experience pretty hefty amounts of plaque build-up along your gum line. This creates the perfect environment for additional bacteria to fill the space between your gums and teeth – an infection known as gingivitis. This infection can also lead to more serious gum-related issues, and if left unattended, can cause significant health concerns.
To ensure you’re keeping your mouth nice and healthy, make sure you:
- Brush your teeth and tongue properly
- Floss regularly
- Maintain a healthy diet and avoid sugar where possible
- Regularly see a dentist for routine checkups.
Influencing other diseases
Gum disease is the most common chronic inflammatory condition in the world, but we don’t hear much about it day to day. As an entry point for infection, the mouth can often fall vulnerable to much more severe conditions and diseases. In some cases, ongoing oral inflammation can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. This can then lead to inflammation in other parts of your body, including your heart. Maintaining a proper routine gives you the best shot at avoiding these situations.
Long-term gum infections can cause health problems
Over time, severe infections can trigger a loss of teeth, as well. In fact, some studies have shown there may even be a link between oral infections, poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People living with diabetes are already at an increased risk of developing gum disease, but chronic cases may actually make this condition much more difficult to control, as it can cause insulin resistance.
To ensure you’re not in danger of any of these symptoms, we highly recommend booking in an appointment with our team at Dentist On Queen. Call now on 9623 1261.