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The Importance of Oral Hygiene: How Neglecting It Can Affect Your Overall Health

It is correctly said that your oral health reflects your overall health. After all, oral hygiene is a significant part of your overall health, but it is often overlooked. Neglecting oral hygiene can harm your teeth, even though people prioritize fitness and nutrition. It leads to many oral problems, such as cavities, bad breath, gum diseases, and infections. If you believe that bad oral hygiene only affects your mouth, you couldn’t be more wrong, as it affects your overall health, including your heart, brain, lungs, and even bones. In this blog, you will learn about the dangers of ignoring your oral health for long. 

For any dental problems, visit Peace of Mind Dental Studio for better oral hygiene in the Chandler area.

Effects of Neglecting Your Oral Health

Check out how neglecting oral hygiene can affect your overall health.

Periodontal Gum Diseases and Their Impact

Brushing and flossing teeth is asserted enough, but numerous people still don’t brush their teeth or ever use dental floss. It leads to tartar and plaque buildup. Tartar is a sticky layer that forms on your teeth after you eat. If not brushed off, this layer toughens up and becomes plaque over time. Look into the mirror, and if you see a faint yellow film on the insides of your teeth, a teeth cleansing is in order. 

If plaque and tartar are not treated in time, they cause gum diseases. It starts with mild inflammation and swelling and causes periodontitis, resulting in severe tooth and bone damage. The extent of the problem doesn’t end here. Studies have proved that gum disease bacteria enter the bloodstream over time, and when they do, they cause cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, and even cancer.

Experience the benefits of excellent oral hygiene with a comprehensive teeth cleaning session by scheduling an appointment with a dentist in the Chandler area.

 

Oral Health Causes Other Health Issues

Numerous studies have established the link between oral health and deteriorating overall health, proving that oral problems can be fatal if neglected. You will be amazed to know that bad oral hygiene can cause Endocarditis, pregnancy, birth complications, pneumonia, cardiovascular diseases, etc. On the other hand, some health issues result in deteriorating oral health, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, etc. 

In addition, in older people, health problems are more common, and their oral health must be a priority. As per studies, poor diet and other health problems are directly associated with oral hygiene. So, to reduce the risk of systematic health conditions and promote your overall well-being, take care of your teeth and gums. 

Cavities and Tooth Decay

After reading about CVD and respiratory problems, cavities and tooth decay might seem like no problems at all, but bad oral hygiene starts from these smaller problems, which do not seem big enough at the time, but later on result in systematic health conditions.

Unsurprisingly, not brushing and flossing your teeth results in tooth decay and cavities. Brushing teeth ensures that there is no tartar buildup on your teeth. Flossing ensures that no food is left lodged in crevices in your mouth, which starts rotting and causes tooth decay. A regular tartar buildup negatively affects tooth enamel and causes tiny holes called cavities. 

Untreated cavities can cause toothaches, sensitivity, and infection. Furthermore, if the infection spreads to the root of the tooth and surrounding tissues, it may result in the need for root canal treatment or tooth extraction. Untreated cavities and tooth decay can also impact overall health, affecting nutrition, speech, and overall quality of life.

Bad Breath Affects Social Interactions

. Neglecting oral hygiene leads to bad breath, significantly affecting self-esteem, confidence, and social interactions. It affects both your professional and social interactions and causes personal relations problems. You wouldn’t like your partner to pull away due to your stinking breath, right? Thus, brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning is crucial to eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad breath. 

Preventive Measures of Optimal Oral Health

Here are some essential and well-known preventive measures to ensure good oral and overall health.

Brushing: You are undoubtedly aware that you should brush your teeth twice a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your teeth.

Flossing: You must floss daily to keep your gumline clean and remove food particles from between your teeth.

Mouthwash: Alongside brushing and flossing, use an antimicrobial mouthwash to rinse your mouth thoroughly.

Tongue Cleaning: You must clean the white residue on your tongue with a tongue cleaner daily to avoid foul breath.

Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and avoid sugary, sweet, and sticky foods. If you can’t, at least brush your teeth before going to bed.

Regular Dental Checkups: Ensure you are booked for a dental checkup every six months, so any potential oral problems can be detected early. 

Oral Hygiene in Chandler

Peace of Mind Dental Studio is the best choice to ensure good oral health in Chandler area wherein you receive the care you deserve, and our experts can nudge you on the right path toward good oral hygiene.

Visit our website for more information and book an appointment today!

Written by Dr. Silverman

Dr. Silverman is the co-founder of Peace of Mind Dental, a Chandler Arizona, general dentistry practice.

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