Exercise and eating right will not matter if you disregard the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene. By not keeping your teeth and gums in good condition, you are opening a door for germs and bacteria to enter your body and cause harm to it. We recommend that you start brushing your teeth after every meal and come visit us every six months.
As you are reading this right now, bacteria may be creating a hole in your enamel, continuing to do so until you remove it. Gradually, bacteria will spread, infecting other surrounding teeth. It is pertinent that you take steps to maintain good dental hygiene by visiting the dentist, flossing, and brushing your teeth.
If you do not follow good dental hygiene protocol, the bacteria’s next target will be your body, wreaking havoc on it by giving permission to other diseases to enter it. The lists of health conditions that can result from poor dental hygiene include:
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Cardiovascular Disease
The probability to develop cardiovascular disease increases in individuals with gum disease. When plague and bacteria enter the body from the gums into the bloodstream, the arteries become narrower and clogged, thus increasing the risk of a heart attack.
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Respiratory Disease
The presence of bacteria in the lungs can increase an individual’s risk of acute bronchitis and pneumonia. Bacteria will further aggravate the respiratory system in a person with a prior history of respiratory disease.
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Diabetes
Did you know that 95 percent of people with diabetes also suffer from gum disease? Some people have suffered from tooth loss, as the progression of gum disease advanced. Diabetics are more prone to contract infections. For this reason, it is extremely important for individuals diagnosed with diabetes to take care of their oral health.
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Premature Birth
According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, pregnant women that rinsed their mouth with non-alcohol antimicrobial mouthwash exhibited a decrease rate of giving birth to premature babies. Pregnant women should bush and floss their teeth regularly during their pregnancy. In addition, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that women who fail to practice good oral hygiene have a harder time conceiving a child, taking them up to seven months to become pregnant.
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Cancer
Men with gum disease are at a higher risk to develop pancreatic and kidney cancer. Chain smokers who do not practice good oral hygiene are at a much higher risk to develop cancer according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They should visit their dentist on a regular basis to minimize their risk for mouth cancer. The dentist will be able to check their mouth for signs and catch cancer early.
If you take good care of your body, regularly exercising and eating clean, you should take care of your oral health as well. Take the first step to maintaining good oral hygiene by visiting Pearland Family Dentistry.