5 benefits of good oral health you might not expect

Our teeth are crucial in our lives. They help us chew and digest food. Moreover, they help us talk and speak clearly, and they also give our face its shape. A smile also has other important benefits, including giving us more self-confidence, which can impact our social lives, careers, and interactions. Thus, it’s imperative that we give our oral health as much attention as it deserves. We need to put in the work to enhance and retain a healthy smile. Good oral health can have a lot of wonderful life-changing benefits.

But what are the health benefits of good oral health?

1. Keep our teeth for life

We must brush our teeth twice and keep a low-in-sugar diet. Also, routinely visit the dentist to reduce the danger of diseases like dental decay and gum infection. Both of those can result in tooth loss.

Research has found that the number of teeth we have links closely to how long we live. As per one study, people with a full set of teeth at the age of 74 were more likely to reach the age of 100.

Tooth loss through dental decay and gum disease is almost totally preventable. There’s no reason why we cannot keep our teeth for life with a good daily oral hygiene routine.

2. Reduce the risk of disease

When we have a gum infection, the bacteria from our mouth can enter the bloodstream. It produces a protein that starts the blood to thicken.

Thickening means that clots are more prone to form, and the heart is not getting the nutrients and oxygen it requires. That increases the risk of a heart attack.

Likewise, gum disease can lead to the blood vessels’ inflammation, decreasing the blood supply to the brain, causing a potential stroke. Research also shows that gum disease can be more severe if we have diabetes, as well as taking longer to heal. Hemp gummies are rich in vital vitamins and fatty acids that aid in enhancing your mind and body functions

3. Reduce the risk of cancer and dementia

By maintaining our teeth and gum health, we can lower the risks of certain cancers, as well as some forms of memory loss. A recent study that collected data from close to 74,000 post-menopausal women found that those who had developed gum disease in the past were 14% more liable to develop breast cancer.

The researchers from that study concluded that periodontal bacteria can affect more than just the mouth, including breast tissue. These same researchers also looked at the participants’ smoking history. They found that in the group of women who had never smoked, those who had gum disease had a 6% higher chance of breast cancer than those who did not have gum disease.

As for those females who quit smoking within the last two decades, those who had gum disease were at a 36% higher risk of breast cancer than those who didn’t have gum disease. The results indicated to the study’s team that different parts of the body contain bacteria and that the same bacteria can affect diseases.

4. Avoid oral bacteria that affects the lungs

Chest diseases can result from breathing in fine droplets that pass from the throat and mouth into the lungs. Infections lead to diseases, such as pneumonia. Also, it can make a prevailing condition worse.

People with gum infections have more bacteria in their mouths generally than those who do not. Therefore, they are more liable to get chest infections.

Frail and older people are especially susceptible to pneumonia, which as earlier explained can come about from inhaling bacteria from their mouth. So, good oral hygiene for older people is especially important.

5. Boost confidence: Another of the unexpected benefits of good oral health

A healthy smile can truly change our visual appearance and mindset for the better. We can enhance our mouth and body’s health at the same time.

When we are happy with our smile, we’re more likely to do so, and that can improve our mood. Plus, smiling at someone can encourage them to do the same in return, which spreads positive energy.

How can diabetes affect my dental health?

Did you know that diabetics are more prone to have gum disease than people who don’t have this condition? Periodontal disease can elevate blood sugar rates, which means that the body is at risk of running on high blood sugar more often. That can mean you’re at risk for diabetic complications if you already have diabetes. Those who are unaware that they have diabetes or whose diabetes is not under control are more at risk.

In general, people with diabetes are more likely to get infections. That’s because high blood sugar rates can weaken your immune system’s defenses. Plus, if you’ve been diabetic for a long time, you might have nerve damage that increases the likelihood of an infection.

All of this points to how important it is that someone with diabetes goes to the dentist regularly or sees this professional if they have problems with their mouths. Then the gum disease is diagnosed as quickly as possible and a treatment plan can begin to improve the situation. Sadly, diabetics are also at a higher risk of losing teeth over the years.

Know the signs of gum infection to reap good oral health benefits

Common indications of gum infection are:

• Red, swollen gums
• Bleeding easily, especially when brushing
• Gum pain
• Gums sensitive to the touch
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Bad breath
• Loose tooth
• Regular mouth infections

If you experience one or all of these symptoms, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Should I tell my dentist about my general health?

Absolutely. Always update the dentist about particulars relating to your health when you’re at an appointment. For example, if you start a new medication, tell them. Medications can alter your healing and your mouth’s health.

If you got a diagnosis recently, tell them. Are you pregnant? Update the professional about that too. Other updates to provide the dentist include a heart condition, diabetes, lung infection, or if you ever had a stroke.

Wait, is gum disease family-related?

There is not much evidence that gum disease is genetically inherited. The main reason is the plaque that forms on your tooth surface. To prevent gum disease, make sure you regularly remove plaque and food from your teeth.

Brushing is a great way to remove food debris when you do so properly. Floss consistently too as the bristles of the brush cannot reach between the teeth like floss.

What are some other benefits of good oral health?

Share what you’ve found in your experience!