Maintaining Good Dental Health is a lifelong commitment. Brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings are the keys to good oral health. If you take care of your teeth, you’ll have a bright smile and lower risk of gum disease, tooth decay and other dental problems. And because oral diseases can be a gateway to other health concerns, like heart disease and diabetes, taking good care of your teeth is important for overall health.
Good Oral Hygiene Helps Prevent Heart Disease
Research has linked poor oral health to other health issues, such as diabetes, stroke, endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves), low birth weight in babies and respiratory infections. In addition, mouth bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation throughout the body. Good oral hygiene practices and routine visits to the dentist can prevent these conditions by reducing the amount of harmful bacteria in your body.
The most common causes of bad oral health are a lack of dental care, high sugar intake and smoking. In addition, many people have genetic predispositions to certain diseases, such as diabetes and gum disease. These factors make maintaining good oral health more difficult for some people than others.
Some tips on maintaining a good dental health are brushing teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing every day, and visiting dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. However, many people don’t practice these habits or don’t understand why they are important.
Foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar linger in the mouth, where bacteria feed on them to produce acids that destroy the outer enamel of the teeth and lead to cavities. Starchy foods, such as crackers and bread, also linger in the mouth and break down into simple sugars that bacteria use to create acid. To avoid tooth decay, eat starchy foods in moderation and switch to healthier options, such as whole grain toast, cereals, or fruit.
Aside from avoiding sugary foods and drinks, people can promote good oral health by using an antibacterial mouthwash every day to wash away plaque-producing bacteria and food particles. They should also eat crunchy fruits and vegetables to stimulate saliva production, as well as drink plenty of water to rinse away plaque-producing acid. They should also stop smoking, as it can contribute to gum disease and other dental problems.
In addition, it’s important for adults to teach children good oral hygiene habits from an early age, such as brushing and flossing, eating a nutritious diet, and visiting their dentist regularly. It’s also important for parents and caregivers to not share eating utensils or clean pacifiers with their children, as this can pass cavity-causing bacteria from them to the child. Practicing these simple tips can help people of all ages maintain good oral health and reduce their risk of chronic health complications.
