You know that brushing your teeth twice a day is important, but did you know that caring for your teeth and mouth is more important than preventing tooth loss, cavities, and bad breath?
There are countless other reasons why you should start being more serious about your dental hygiene, and some of them aren’t obvious.
If you’ve not been taking care of your dental hygiene, here’re the real reasons why you should start today.
You May Reduce Your Chances Of Getting A Heart Attack
A survey published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that 42% of adults in the U.S. are suffering from gum disease periodontitis.
Unfortunately, the effects of periodontitis and other similar dental issues are not limited to the teeth and gums. Gum disease often creates an unhealthy environment that allows toxins and bacteria to get into the bloodstream.
Consequently, the bacteria travels and settles in different body areas, including the heart linings, causing infections and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Actually, according to research, people suffering from gum disease are up to four times more likely to have a heart attack. Therefore, being conscious about your dental hygiene can assist you to prevent a heart attack.
You Can Reduce The Effects Of High Blood Sugar
There is a reciprocal relationship between type 2 diabetes and dental issues. While type 2 diabetes can lead to dental problems, dental problems can contribute to the condition as well.
As a diabetic, high glucose levels in your saliva can encourage bacterial growth, leading to gum disease.
Besides that, you are highly likely to experience dry mouth, which puts you at a higher risk for the growth of thrush, a fungal infection, and cavities.
To prevent such issues, you need to prioritize dental hygiene.
Moreover, if you are diabetic, you can be able to manage your blood sugar a lot better if you control your periodontal disease.
Generally, having a healthier mouth can improve your management of blood sugar and help you prevent the condition’s negative effects.
You Can Prevent Respiratory Infections
Poor dental hygiene is one of the causes of respiratory infections. According to studies, periodontal disease increases the risk of different respiratory infections, which include chronic pulmonary disease and pneumonia.
Basically, bacteria can be transmitted from the upper throat surface to the lower respiratory tract, leading to a respiratory infection if you inhale the pathogens.
Depending on your overall health status, this condition can be serious and deadly.
Luckily, you can find some of the best dentists in Cary, NC, and other areas throughout the country to conduct a dental assessment and guide you on how to take care of your teeth and mouth.
You May Reduce Your Chances Of Getting Cancer
As it seems, periodontitis is connected to more health conditions than most of us can imagine. According to medical experts, having periodontitis can also increase your risk of getting lung and colorectal cancers.
Bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause tumours in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth.
What’s even worse is the fact that as a cancer patient, you may also experience dental problems because the condition usually reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.
Chemotherapy generally weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of oral infections and slowing down healing. Radiation may also damage the glands, leading to dry mouth and a higher risk of tooth cavities.
Whether or not you have cancer, therefore, you need to make an effort to take care of your oral health.
Dental Issues Can Affect Conception
If you are a woman who’s considering conceiving, you need to take care of your teeth and mouth, as gum disease has been seen to increase the difficulty of conception.
It can also lead to low birth weight and premature birth. Usually, women who have periodontitis take about seven months to conceive.
Conversely, healthy women usually take an average of five months to conceive.
As you can see, there are many unapparent reasons why you should take your dental hygiene more seriously.
Doing so can reduce your chances of getting a heart attack, cancer, and respiratory infections and their effects.
It can also help you avert the effects of high blood sugar and conceive on time if you are a woman.
You can find much more information on living a holistic lifestyle in these free magazines and on our YouTube channel.
Author Bio:
Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction. If you are looking for the best dentists in Cary, NC, consider looking into Smile of Cary.
