How Dental Cleanings Help Overall Wellness
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice when they meet you, so it's important to keep it healthy and bright. That's not the only reason to see a dentist, though! Regular dental checkups keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy, but did you know that seeing a dentist can also boost your overall health? Read on to learn more about how regular checkups with the dentist can improve your overall well being.
Why Seeing Oral Health Is So Important
Anyone who has had a problem with their teeth or gums can tell you how painful and annoying it can be, especially if you haven't seen a dentist for a while. Our mouths are essential in our day to day lives for speaking and eating, but sometimes they get overlooked until there's a serious problem. However, getting regular dental checkups can find tooth problems when they are still minor, so you don't have to wait until you're in serious pain to get it fixed. Problems that seem small, like cavities and swollen gums, can lead to bigger problems down the line, but if you see your dentist every six months, he or she can catch those issues early and treat them before surgery or another major treatment is required.
In addition to preventing cavities and gum disease, more and more sources are saying that good oral hygiene can improve your overall health. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, and visiting your dentist can play an important part in preventing chronic diseases and other illnesses. It all starts with bacteria. The bacteria in your mouth can be kept in check with a regular oral hygiene routine, but if you start to get lax, those bacteria can grow quickly to dangerous proportions.
Poor oral hygiene may eventually lead to cardiovascular disease, endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of your heart), or problems with pregnancy like low birth weight and preterm birth. This is because the bacteria that thrives in your mouth can easily spread to the rest of your body and through your bloodstream, causing inflammation and infections that can be difficult to treat.
What Can You Do To Keep Your Mouth Healthy?
There's a reason that brushing and flossing are so important. If you brush your teeth at least twice daily, and floss every day, you can flush out much of the bacteria that builds up and creates plaque between your teeth and below your gum line. It's also important to eat healthy meals and snacks, and limit sugar intake, because sugar is the main source of food for the bacteria in your mouth. In addition, limit snacking after you brush, as the bacteria thrive on leftover food, too. Drink plenty of water, as drinking can wash away some of the bacteria as well.
Replace your toothbrush regularly (every three or four months), and see your dentist every six months. Your dentist can diagnose any problems and give you treatment options. Also, if any oral health issues arise between dentist appointments, don't put them off!
In addition, let your dentist know if you have any chronic health conditions or take any medications, as they could have an impact on your oral health. Conditions like HIV/AIDS and diabetes lower your body's ability to fight infections, as do certain medications, so it may be tougher to naturally fight off the bacteria in your mouth, and you may need a more rigorous oral health routine.
Because oral health is so important, having dental insurance is number one on many employees' benefits wish list. Providing your employees with dental benefits can really increase workplace satisfaction, and will keep their health in top shape!
