Scientists have uncovered one of the most important secrets in medicine.
Are you ready?
They’ve discovered that your mouth is connected to EVERYTHING ELSE in your body.
If that’s news to you then you’re not alone.
Most people don’t realize how closely your smile is tied to your heart, brain, kidneys, AND overall health.
But they should.
Dental issues DO NOT stay in your mouth.
And preventing problems begins with the basics.
Brushing your teeth.
Flossing daily.
And using dental care services to stay on top of your game.
Let’s dive into how everything is connected and why it matters…
What you’ll discover:
- Why Your Mouth Is Connected to Your Overall Health
- The Mouth-Heart Connection
- Diabetes and Oral Health Are Linked
- Mental Health Can Depend on Oral Health
- Use Dental Care Services to Protect Your Whole Body
Why Your Mouth Is Connected to Your Overall Health
Your mouth is a gateway to your entire body. It’s home to about 500 different species of bacteria, some good and some bad.
When you don’t brush and floss daily, that’s when oral bacteria can take over.
Leave plaque and food particles in your mouth too long and you’ll quickly develop cavities. Infection. Gum disease.
And that’s just the beginning.
When gums become infected, bacteria enters the bloodstream.
From there it’s able to travel to major organs throughout your body. In turn, inflammation and damage can occur to your heart, lungs, kidneys, and more.
It all starts with routine dental care services.
Keep that mouth healthy with checkups and teeth cleanings twice a year. Visit a trusted provider like Sauganash Smiles dental office to prevent cavities before they happen with daily brushing.
Address dental concerns quickly so they don’t become severe.
Simple enough, right?
The Mouth-Heart Connection
Did you know that heart disease is the NUMBER ONE killer of both men and women?
Yep. To kick your body, it first attacks your heart.
But your mouth can play a role in developing heart problems.
One study from the American Heart Association found that periodontal disease has been linked to heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
If the mouth and heart are connected, how does this happen?
There’s inflammation in the gums.
Imagine that inflammation spreading throughout your body.
Then, add in oral bacteria making its way into your bloodstream.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where that could end up.
As plaques form in your arteries, your risk of heart disease grows. And just like that, your mouth trickled down into your heart.
Along with kidney disease and diabetes, heart disease is just one more reason to keep up with dental hygiene.
Diabetes and Oral Health Are Linked
It’s a two-way street when you have diabetes.
They feed off of each other like birds of prey circling their food.
Diabetes causes increased risk of gum infection. But gum infection can make diabetes worse as well.
People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop periodontal disease.
Diabetes impacts your body’s ability to process blood sugar. This prevents you from properly fighting off infection.
Daily bacteria that builds up in your mouth can cause gum disease.
And research shows: When you’re fighting gum disease, it can actually make diabetes worse.
Your body has a more difficult time regulating blood sugar.
It’s a vicious cycle that millions of Americans struggle with.
By simply following proper brushing and flossing techniques at home you can combat the spread of bacteria.
Not only will your gums thank you. So will your pancreas.
Mental Health Can Depend on Oral Health
There’s a reason dentists recommend you brush and floss before bed.
Not only does it help you avoid cavities, but it also keeps you from grinding your teeth at night.
Ever had a huge headache because you slept too hard?
That pain in your mouth that radiates to the top of your head.
Now imagine your brain.
When you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, you open yourself up to infection. And as bacteria spreads, your risk of developing inflammation goes way up.
Inflammation in the body has been linked to a variety of mental health issues.
From depression to anxiety disorders, poor dental hygiene is wrecking your mind.
Research from Delta Dental revealed that 77% of Americans believe that there is a strong connection between mental and oral health.
Those who suffered from anxiety or depression were even more likely to link their dental health to their mental wellbeing.
Brush your teeth. Floss often. Make your dentist appointment yearly to ensure no stone goes unchecked.
Your mind will appreciate it.
Use Dental Care Services to Protect Your Whole Body
Okay, so we’ve covered how everything is connected to your mouth. Now it’s time to focus on what you can do about it.
Prevention starts with your home routine and using dental care services to round things out.
Brush your teeth.
Sound pretty easy, right? But most people rush through brushing and don’t spend enough time on the task.
Spending at least two minutes twice a day can help you avoid cavities and damage to your enamel.
Floss every single day.
Brushing doesn’t clean everything. Flossing allows you to remove plaque buildup in-between teeth.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Go see your dentist twice a year to keep on top of your dental health. Don’t wait until you’re in pain to schedule an appointment.
If you’re in pain, you’ve waited too long.
Getting checkups and teeth cleaning is the best way to stop issues before they become serious.
Know the signs of dental problems.
Bad breath that won’t go away? Pain when chewing? Loose teeth?
Gum disease doesn’t always come with pain. But signs will show that you need to get your teeth checked.
Don’t wait to seek help if you think something is wrong.
It could save your teeth. And your heart.
Oral health is more than just your teeth.
The Big Takeaway
If you made it this far, congrats!
Here’s the thing. Your mouth opens the door to the rest of your body.
You have bacteria in your mouth working against you daily. By keeping on top of your brushing and flossing you can avoid major dental problems.
And by using dental care services, you can prevent major bacteria-filled infections in your body.
Connecting Dental Health to Overall Wellness
There you have it folks.
The mouth is connected to your entire body.
From your brain to your heart. Teeth play a factor in your overall health and you need to start taking that seriously.
This doesn’t just mean brushing and flossing though.
Make sure you are taking your dental health as serious as your overall health. Book yearly checkups.
Make sure you are cleaning between your teeth as recommended by your dentist.
Your oral health is critical to your overall health. Not only will it keep your smile nice for photos, but it’ll keep your body fighting off infection.
Please share this with anyone that might find this information beneficial to their health.
