We all want a fresh breath and a shining smile. That’s why we brush and floss our teeth regularly. The thing is, oral health is not just about fresh breath and a bright smile. Oral health also plays an essential role in our whole being.
Doctors define oral health as a state where the mouth is free from pain, infections, sores, and other oral diseases. These conditions cause changes in the patient’s bite, chew, smile, and overall, well-being.
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention or CDC says that having poor oral health can also be linked to other health complications in different parts of the body. That’s why keeping your mouth clean is a must. Here are some factors why oral health matters:
Healthy gums mean a healthier heart
When you brush your teeth, you are not just brushing away bacteria from your mouth. You’re also brushing away the possibility of having heart complications.
A study from the Canadian Academy of Periodontology says that people with periodontal gum disease are more prone to heart diseases. Also, it says that the risk of getting a fatal heart attack is twice that of those who have healthy gums.
So don’t be shocked if your dentist is asking you heart-related questions and family history regarding heart diseases. If severe cases appear, you might need to see a cardiologist as well.
Prevent Oral Cancer
When you visit a dentist, the doctor checks all soft tissues making sure that each one is healthy. Usually, the dentist would go through the gums, tongue, lips, and cheeks to see if there’s anything unusual.
Malignant lesions start from a small patch with unnoticeable symptoms. Oral cancer can grow from your lips up to your oropharynx. Your dentist may suggest various options such as invisible aligners or regular cleaning to help you not get oral cancer. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis can save you from getting oral cancer.
It’s healthy for the baby
During pregnancy, a regular check-up with a dentist might be necessary as visiting an OB-GYN. A pregnant woman is less likely to deliver her child prematurely if she has healthy gums, merely because gum disease increases the chemicals that bring the woman to labor.
Babies delivered earlier than the expected date are prone to complications such as development problems, asthma, or birth abnormalities. There’s also a high risk of losing the baby at birth.
If you’re pregnant, taking care of your oral health can save you and your baby. Just think that you’re brushing your teeth for two people.
Maintain a good breath and a great smile
Everybody wants a great smile, right? However, your enemy here is tooth staining. Usually, tooth staining is natural. It is most likely from smoking or having lots of coffee, red wine, or tea.
Another condition to knock off is bad breath or halitosis. Bad breath is a common oral problem. The unpleasant smell is caused by build-up plaque, which is a symptom of gum disease and tooth decay.
