Why Is Dental Health So Important? (Explained)
We all know that we should take care of our teeth and visit the dentist regularly, but do you know why? Maintaining good dental health is important for more than just a pretty smile – it’s essential for your overall health and well-being. This blog post will look closely at why dental health is so important and what you can do to maintain good oral hygiene.
How Important Is Dental Health?
1. Reduces the Risk of Disease
Too often, we overlook our teeth and gums when discussing our holistic health. Yet, proper oral hygiene is inextricably linked to good physical health — poor dental care can increase your risk of endocarditis, stroke, and heart disease. For example, recent studies have shown that individuals with gum disease are more likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or any other serious cardiovascular event by two or three times!
2. Reduces the Risk of Dementia
With over 40 million people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, research indicates that a species of bacteria found in the mouth can travel to the brain and destroy nerve cells. This could be one cause of memory loss and the development of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
3. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Poor oral hygiene can have catastrophic consequences, most notably cancer. For example, a type of gum disease known as periodontitis is linked to pancreatic cancer; the bacteria that damage tissue surrounding your teeth and lead to death.
In addition, in a separate study, adults who had inadequate dental care were found to experience more instances of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which also increases one’s risk for developing certain types of cancers.
How Poor Dental Health Affects Teeth & Gums?
1. Poor dental health can lead to cavities
Cavities are one of the most common oral problems and occur when tooth decay damages the hard outer layer of your teeth. If left untreated, cavities can cause pain, tooth loss, and infections.
2. It increases the risk of gum disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding. Gum disease can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth loss, and other serious health problems if left untreated.
3. Poor dental health can also lead to bad breath
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a condition that a number of factors, including poor dental hygiene, can cause. Having bad breath can be embarrassing and make it difficult to socialize or interact with others.
Dental Health Is Important For Pregnant Women And Children
It is also important for pregnant women and children to practice proper oral hygiene habits because their bodies are more vulnerable.
Pregnant women should visit their dentist regularly throughout each trimester for checkups. Some medications prescribed during pregnancy could significantly affect one’s oral health if not monitored closely by a professional dentist throughout that period.
Meanwhile, it is especially important for children to maintain healthy teeth as it sets them up for lifelong differences in dental issues if proper care isn’t established early on during childhood.
Important Tips On Dental Health
When it comes to tips on maintaining good dental health, there are several things you should do:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
- Floss once a day
- Avoid smoking
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat healthy foods
- Visit your dentist regularly every six months
- Wear a night guard while sleeping if you grind your teeth at night
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Chew sugar-free gum after eating food
- Avoid sugary snacks
- Use a tongue scraper daily
- Keep dentures clean if you wear them
Dental health is important for overall health; therefore, we should focus on taking proper care of our teeth, gums, and tongue. The tips we’ve shared will help you maintain good oral hygiene, but it isn’t enough.
You need to visit your dentist twice a year for routine checkups. Our dentists in Harrisburg, NC, will perform checkups and examine your teeth and overall oral health to ensure you’re risk-free. Call us today at 704.659.5036 or book an online appointment for routine checkups.
Our Harrisburg NC Dentist Office
To learn more about dental treatments from Icard & Strein Family Dentistry, or to schedule an appointment, call our Harrisburg, NC dental office today at 704.455.5003.
