When you think of your overall health, the first things that come to mind are probably things like exercise, diet, and sleep. You might not think about your oral health as being an important part of your overall health, but it actually is. In fact, your dental health has a lot to do with the wellness of other parts of your body. For example, there’s a very strong connection between your oral health and your general well-being. Healthy teeth and gums help keep you resistant to tooth decay and gum disease; both of which can lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. We’ll explore what dental health really means, why it’s so important to our general well-being, and what you can do today to have healthier gums and teeth in the future.
What does dental health really mean?
Healthy teeth and gums are essential for strong, healthy teeth. But when your teeth and gums aren’t healthy, you’re at risk for a number of problems. Unfortunately, many people aren’t even aware of the risks of poor dental health since the signs are often subtle and happen over time. Gum disease, for example, may not even be noticeable until it has reached the point where your gums have pulled away from the teeth, forming pockets where bacteria can thrive. At this point, it’s too late to reverse the damage. So in order to prevent these problems, it’s important to know what good dental health looks like.
Why is Dental Health important to wellness?
We’ve already talked about how poor oral health can lead to serious health problems, but what about the other way around? What does dental health have to do with other parts of your body? Well, your mouth and teeth are connected to other parts of your body through a network of tissues and organs called the oral microbiome. This is basically a microbial community that exists in your mouth and on your gums that plays a critical role in your overall health. But when the oral microbiome gets out of balance, this can have wide-ranging effects that extend to other parts of your body. What does this have to do with dental health? Well, maintaining good oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing can help keep your oral microbiome in balance. And by extension, this can support your overall wellness.
4 Ways Dental Health Supports Your Wellness
Tooth Decay is Preventable – Tooth decay is a bacterial infection that leads to cavities in your teeth. It happens when bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars from food and drink and produce acid as a waste product. This acid can then eat through the tooth enamel and leave it porous and weakened.
Tooth decay can be prevented if you consume less sugar, brush and floss your teeth regularly, and visit your dentist for check-ups.
Tooth decay can be treated using dental sealants, fluoride, or root canal therapy if it has spread into the root of the tooth.
Tooth Decay is Treatable – Once the tooth decay has progressed to the point where it has actually eaten through the tooth and into the soft tissue of your gums, treating it can be much more complicated.
This stage is often referred to as a dental caries, or gum disease, and can be treated with antibiotics or antimicrobial rinses.
3 Signs that your Oral Health is in Trouble
Bad breath – Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common sign that something is off with your oral health. Some common causes of bad breath include gum disease, diabetes, diet, and even certain medications.
Tooth sensitivity – If your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, this can indicate that your teeth are starting to become sensitive to the acids in your mouth or that gum disease is progressing.
Receding Gums – If your gums start to recede from your teeth, this is a clear sign that you may be at risk for tooth decay. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Treatment for these conditions are simpler if caught early.
3 Things you can do for better overall health
Brush your teeth twice a day – Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a basic, but important, part of dental health. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes to get your teeth clean. You can also brush your teeth after meals with an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill any lingering bacteria or food particles in your mouth.
Floss once a day – Flossing once a day helps remove bacteria and food particles from between your teeth and below the gum line. Keep in mind that you can use dental swabs, or dental picks, in between your teeth if you have braces.
Schedule regular dental check-ups – And lastly, make sure to visit your dentist for a dental check-up once every six months or once a year.
Conclusion
As you can see, dental health is much more than just having nice teeth and having good breath. It is an important part of your overall health and wellness. With good oral hygiene, you can prevent a lot of dental diseases and maintain a healthy smile throughout your life. If you want to know more about dental health, feel free to read our article.
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