How does your overall health improve with good dental hygiene?
Everyone knows the benefits of good dental health include stronger teeth and a reduction in the risk of tooth decay and tooth loss (not to mention having a great smile!). What you might not realize is that good dental health can help your overall health too! That’s why we’re here today to discuss a few benefits of taking care of your teeth that are related to other potential health problems:
Helps Your Heart Health
Bacteria is resilient and won’t resign itself to staying in your mouth. Some bacteria will make its way from your mouth into your bloodstream, causing it to spread and travel to your heart.
This may cause your arteries to narrow, which increases the risk of developing heart disease. How serious can this become? Gum disease has been shown by the American College of Cardiology to increase a heart attack risk by almost 50 percent.
Less Bacteria in the Lungs
Many people don’t even consider the fact that good dental health can actually help keep your lungs healthy as well. The reason your lungs can be in danger is due to the bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria can be inhaled into the lungs. This may lead to severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, both of which can put your life at risk.
Lower Chance of Developing Diabetes
There is a practical epidemic of type 2 diabetes has been affecting the United States for many years now and it’s only getting worse. Diabetes can cause severe health issues and is likely to lead to an early death if not treated. Like its effect on heart attacks, gum disease has been shown to increase a person’s likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 50 percent. The link between gum disease and diabetes has been known for a while, but the situation has become almost dire in recent years.
Helps You Lose Weight
Practicing good dental health and oral hygiene has been known to help people lose weight. People who take care of their teeth are less likely to eat unhealthy foods. This can improve overall health not just because of the weight management, but also because you decrease your risk of severe health complications.
A quick tidbit: brushing your teeth with a minty toothpaste can satisfy a sweet craving and help you prevent indulgence in late-night snacks and desserts.
Decreased Risk of Cancer
The most obvious type of cancer that good dental health can help you avoid is oral cancer, which can be caused by dangers to your teeth such as smoking and tobacco. That being said, gum disease has been linked to other kinds of cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer. Researchers have been unable to lock down the precise reason for the link, but the common belief is that bacteria in your mouth may foster cancer cell growth.
Better Alzheimer’s Prevention Outlook
Perhaps the most curious and surprising link to good oral health is its connection to Alzheimer’s disease. It has been shown that gum disease can cause an increase in cognitive decline in a patient who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s. The exact reason is currently unknown, but the theory is that the gum disease negatively affects your body’s inflammatory response.
Contact Dr. Ferullo for Good Dental Health Management and Tips!
Dr. Ferullo can help you achieve good dental health, provide teeth whitening, improve your smile, and all other dental needs. If you have any questions about our services, call our St. Petersburg dentist office at (727) 822-8101 today to schedule an appointment!
