The human body is an amazing thing – it is made up of thousands of individual parts that all serve individual purposes, but together, they allow the whole thing to function as it should.
Many people think that taking care of our teeth is only important for our oral health. But this just isn’t the case. It might be surprising to learn that, by ensuring proper oral health, you are actually contributing to the overall health of your body. Though it might seem strange to think that something as small as a tooth could really have an effect on the health of something like your stomach, it is simply another cog in a bigger machine – a machine that needs all of its parts, whether big or small, to function properly.
One of the biggest threats that poor oral hygiene poses to our overall well-being is gum disease. Without a steady and consistent dental hygiene regiment, your teeth could fall prey to plaque buildup, cavities and bleeding gums. While these might seem like contained oral health problems, these symptoms can lead to severe pain, infection and other issues.
This threat becomes ever more prevalent as patients get older. With age come an increased risk and a substantial decrease in the immune system’s ability to ward off infection, making dental hygiene one of many important battles that must be fought in order to stay healthier for longer.
Proper oral health is also important to, surprisingly, your overall digestive health. By neglecting your teeth and allowing them to fall into disrepair, your ability to properly chew and break down the food that you eat is impacted. This change can often make digestion much more difficult, leading to serious gastrointestinal problems that can be both painful and dangerous.
So, what can you do to reduce the impact of your oral health on your overall health? Here are some tips to keep you on the right track:
- Keep up with daily brushing and flossing.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Visit your dentist on a regular basis.
To learn more and to chat with me about your own personal oral health, visit my website and schedule a consultation today at our Davisville dentist office. Can’t wait to see you!