Good Dental Health Can Improve Your Heart, Health, and Longevity
Donna Wright
Brushing Your Teeth May Be More Important Than You Think
Throughout our childhood, we were told to brush our teeth to avoid cavities.
By the time we enter our teens, the added benefit of brushing was to avoid bad breath and have a nice smile. Then, as we reached adulthood, the importance of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash added yet another benefit, to avoid gum disease.
Well, perhaps the most important benefit of all is something no one ever told us. Better oral health protects our overall health and, more importantly, our hearts. And that improves our longevity.
Impacts of Oral Health on Overall Health
You’ve heard this before, but I’ll remind you again. Your mouth is FULL of germs! There, I said it. And while experts say that most mouth germs are harmless, an unhealthy mouth can lead to disease throughout the body.
Good oral hygiene is your first and most important defense of stopping those germs from causing an impact to your body, like mouth inflammation, infections, tooth decay, and gum diseases like periodontitis. So, when the dentist, dental hygienist, or your parents tell you to brush and floss daily, they may be helping you to maintain overall health and avoid serious medical conditions.
Oral Health May Affect Your Heart
Germs or bacteria that are living inside your mouth can cause infections that spread throughout your body. Stop and think about the effect of an infection to a vital organ like your heart. Most people can’t even fathom that poor brushing and flossing could lead to heart conditions.
Experts say that periodontitis, severe gum disease, can lead to heart issues. Scary, right? That’s because gum disease causes inflammation and inflammation can affect the arteries, thereby increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attacks and strokes. Chronic gum inflammation has been shown to be connected to higher blood pressure.
If certain bacteria from tooth infections travel through the bloodstream and spread to your heart, it can cause endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. So, don’t ignore mouth infections or the gum bleeding that is associated with gum inflammation. Better to be safe and get it checked by the dentist than to risk affecting the heart.
Effects of Poor Dental Health on Other Medical Conditions
In addition to heart issues, there are other conditions that might be linked to dental health.
:: Diabetes can slow healing of gum infections because diabetes affects the body’s ability to fight infection.
:: Gum disease may also affect blood sugar levels.
:: Some cancers have been linked to gum disease.
:: Germs that travel to the lungs may cause pneumonia or other respiratory infections.
:: Mouth bacteria may cause brain inflammation and thereby damage to the brain as a person ages.
:: Oral health worsens with the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
:: Weakened immune systems are prone to dry mouth.
:: Some medications can affect oral health.
:: Periodontitis during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Dental Health and the Effects on Aging
While there are many factors that affect aging and longevity, regularly brushing and flossing teeth and cleaning dentures can also make a big impact.
For many, healthy oral habits began at a young age and continued throughout adulthood. However, there are many that got sloppy about oral health once adulthood kicked in or a fear of the dentist, or lack of dental insurance deterred them from regular teeth cleanings and check-ups.
The older you get, the higher the risk for dental issues. From gum disease to tooth loss or breaks, a reduction in saliva or even side effects from medications can impact oral health. It’s imperative to continue dental visits every 6 months to avoid serious health difficulties linked to aging as a result of poor oral health.
Remember, a healthy mouth can help you live longer, stay active, and feel better overall.
Dental Health: Mental and Social Affects
The better you take care of your teeth throughout the years, the better your teeth will look as you age. That may not matter to everyone but to some, the embarrassment of missing or broken teeth can cause a downward spiral in mental well-being.
One of the keys to longevity is to have an active social life but with major teeth issues, including painful gums, toothaches, and bad breath, a person may select a loner lifestyle leading to severe depression and loneliness. On the flipside, good dental health while aging can positively instigate a more confident lifestyle as you age.
Dental Effects on Healthy Eating and Nutrition
Another factor in effective aging is getting proper nutrition through healthy eating. Well, if you have chronic gum disease with bleeding gums, missing teeth, or constant toothaches, eating any food may be a challenge. Poor eating could lead the body to lack the nutrients and minerals needed to sustain optimal energy, maintain a strong immune system, and prevent muscle loss.
Importance of Regular Dental Checkups to Your Health
A visit to the dentist’s office is more than x-rays of your teeth, a thorough cleaning and quick reminders of the importance of brushing and flossing.
During the actual dental examination, symptoms of serious health conditions may be spotted like oral cancer, diabetes, heart issues, and even vitamin deficiencies. That’s why regular dental visits are not only critical to dental health but your overall health as well. A dentist helping to diagnose a medical issue early can in turn help improve your longevity in the long run. Always be sure to share your medical history with your dental team including current medications and any recent medical or dental changes.
How to Face Dental Fear in the Face
Also, it’s imperative that you avoid hiding any dental pain and uncomfortableness, and symptoms from your dentist because you fear what the dental treatment could entail. Dentists have come a long way treating patients that have severe dental anxiety.
When you arrive at your appointment, be proactive and tell the dental team that you’re nervous about the visit. The dental staff will typically do everything they can to make you feel relaxed while you’re in the dental chair. Dental professionals are aware, knowledgeable, and compassionate about how patients feel about being in the dental chair. They’ll make sure you feel comfortable and confident during the appointment.
Lack of Dental Insurance
There are many folks that don’t schedule regular cleaning and checkups due to a lack of dental insurance. In that case, call the dental office and explain your situation. The cost of a cleaning and checkup may not be as high as you’d expect. And oftentimes, the dentist will let you forgo the x-rays (an added cost) due to your current financial situation. Getting a much-needed cleaning now could potentially save you big money and health worries in the future.
15 Tips to Improve Your Dental Health
Here are 15 easy ways to stay diligent with dental hygiene to maintain proper dental health to protect your heart, overall health, and improve longevity.
>> Schedule dental checkups and cleanings every six months, or at least annually.
>> Brush teeth for a full two minutes, twice a day.
>> Use a brush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste.
>> Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.
>> Floss between your teeth daily, even hard to reach teeth.
>> Invest in purchasing a power toothbrush and power water flosser for best results.
>> Replace your toothbrush or power toothbrush head every 3 months.
>> Rinse with mouthwash daily to freshen breath and fight plaque.
>> Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
>> Limit hard candy, soda, and other sugar-filled food and drinks.
>> Avoid smoking tobacco and limit alcohol.
>> Drink water to avoid dry mouth and wash away bacteria.
>> Don’t ignore toothaches or bleeding gums.
>> Visit a periodontist for severe gum issues upon a professional recommendation.
>> Take dental issues seriously to avoid further health issues.
While you may be running late each morning to school and work, and exhausted prior to going to sleep each night, force yourself to take a few minutes to ensure adequate dental care. Incorporating even just a few of these easy tips may improve your long-term health.
There are so many amazing dental tools on the market these days like power toothbrushes and power flossers that practically do the brushing and flossing for you. You also have access to healthier foods and plenty of clean water to aid in oral and overall health.
Maintain Good Dental Health Today and Smile Later
Dental health is not just about having a winning smile. Good dental health helps improve overall health, well-being, and possibly longevity.
Remember, your mouth can contain harmful bacteria that can spread through the bloodstream leading to infections and inflammation in other parts of your body. Mouth issues can impact the heart, lungs, brain, and mental health. Start today to make your oral health a priority.
If you have any questions or concerns, immediately seek – then follow – your dentist’s advice. After all, isn’t a healthier and maybe even longer life reason to smile.