Dental Hygiene and How it Affects your Overall Health

When most think about their dental hygiene, they gravitate towards brushing for whiter teeth and maybe even using mouth wash for fresh breath.  What not everyone realizes is that oral hygiene is a major part of your overall health.  Our Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist recommends that everyone sticks to a strict daily routine for oral hygiene, makes regular appointments to a dentist, and keeps these few facts in mind before they decide to skip their next checkup.

The entire body is connected through a series of vessels and arteries that carry blood from one area to another.  As the mouth is one of the most bacteria-ridden places in the body, a buildup of plaque could cause some series issues for the brain and heart when this bacteria enters the bloodstream.  Modern research has found that patients with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.  Those with bad oral health are also at a much higher risk of certain issues with their cranial nerves, such as Alzheimer’s.

Diabetes is another condition that can take a major toll on one’s oral health, and vice versa.  Issues with blood sugar make patients more susceptible to gum disease.  In turn, gum disease will strain the body’s immune system, making it harder to control blood sugar.

These are just a few of the most common problems that those with poor oral health may experience.  In order to keep these issues at bay, all patients should include regular periodontal treatment and good oral hygiene as part of their routine for overall well-being.

Visit ADA.org to learn more about proper dental hygiene routine.

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