How Dental Hygiene Impacts Your Health

Do you want to understand more about the importance of dental hygiene? While most people think that if they do not have proper dental hygiene that it will only negatively affect their overall dental health, this is not true. When someone's oral health is suffering, they will not only experience dental problems like gum disease and cavities, but they may also suffer from general health issues, like heart disease and even Alzheimer’s.

What is good dental hygiene?

Learning more about good dental hygiene can help you to take better care of your oral health. When you provide your mouth with the proper oral care it needs to be healthy, you are not only ensuring that your gums and teeth are in tip-top shape, but you are also doing what is necessary to ensure your general health. A good dental hygiene routine requires you to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day, floss your teeth at least once a day, use a quality mouthwash when necessary and make regular dental appointments.

How bad dental hygiene can impact one’s health

The list below can help dental patients understand the different types of health issues that they can be diagnosed with if they do not have a good dental hygiene plan in place.

Cardiovascular disease

Heart disease can incur if someone is diagnosed with periodontitis. When this disease is present, it is possible for the bacteria in the gums to travel through the bloodstream, potentially causing the arteries to harden due to a plaque buildup. When plaque builds up in the arteries, it causes blood flow problems. This can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes

While bad dental hygiene does not cause diabetes, diabetic dental patients with periodontal disease may find it much more difficult to control their diabetes. Periodontal disease can directly affect a diabetic’s blood sugar levels, which can make their overall general health worse.

Rheumatoid arthritis

According to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, people with periodontal disease are four times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis. When periodontal disease is present, it causes the gums to swell due to the buildup of bacteria. This buildup can spread throughout the body, causing other parts of the body to swell. This increases one’s chances of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease.

How is your overall health?

Do you have a good dental hygiene routine in place? Are your gums and teeth healthy? If you follow a good hygiene routine, both your mouth and your overall general health should be in good shape. This is one of the more important reasons that you need to make regular dental appointments. When you do, you will always know the current state of your dental health. If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, we hope to hear from you today!

Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.

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