If you think dental hygiene is all about protecting your buccal area from bacteria to prevent infections and other oral diseases then you are missing a lot. Dental hygiene is not only restricted to clean teeth and bright smiles, rather it determines your overall health. Besides catching periodontal disease, gingivitis, tooth decay, and gum inflammation, it may affect your heart, bones, lungs, and brain in the form of various heart diseases, birth complications, arthritis, pneumonia, etc.
Good dental hygiene ensures oral health and protects the body from harmful bacteria passing from the buccal space to other body parts. Poor oral hygiene causes bacteria to start piling up between the teeth and along the gum line, causing various dental diseases such as periodontal pockets, gingivitis, and tooth loss or decay.
When these bacteria surpass certain limits of their growth, these bacterial infections start entering your body and causing harm to various bodily organs and results come forward in the form of poor dental hygiene Jeopardizing your overall health and well-being.
Adversely, better dental hygiene, along with preventing your mouth from becoming a safe haven to bacteria, shields your other body organs against falling prey to harmful oral bacterial infections.
According to research studies, gum inflammation can also become a gateway to access the bloodstream and spread throughout your body. Some studies have shown evidence of similar bacteria of gum infections in the heart arteries causing blockage and exacerbating the situation. My heart-related diseases that are linked to poor dental hygiene are as follows,
Endocarditis develops when someone simultaneously experiences heart-related issues and oral diseases. In this medical condition, inflammation initiates and grows on the lining in the heart.
The main cause of this disease lies in a bacterial infection that usually enters your system during a tooth extraction procedure. People with healthy hearts may escape from endocarditis however, others who are already dealing with any heart-related problems, can easily be entrapped by this situation.
All concerns related to heart and blood vessels are collectively referred to as Cardiovascular disease. These heart issues include clogged arteries, coronary artery disease, and stroke as well. Poor dental hygiene especially in the representation of gum inflammation and bacterial infections is linked to all these heart issues.
The condition of atherosclerosis develops due to periodontal disease when bacterial plague starts piling up in your blood arteries that are supposed to deliver blood and oxygen to every part of your body from your heart.
Plague buildup in the blood vessels blocks the blood flow to the arteries that provide blood to your brain resulting in a fatal stroke.
Coronary artery disease is one of the most common heart conditions in the United States that leads to death due to heart attack and heart failure.
In the case of pregnancy, these oral bacterial infections can travel through your bloodstream to the fetus causing various birth complications that may also impose fatal risks to the fetus’ health. Gum inflammation specifically in the case of periodontitis often leads to premature birth and reduced weight of the fetus as well. Other pregnancy and birth complications related issues include miscarriage, stillbirth, complications in fetal growth, preeclampsia gestational diabetes, etc.
Oral bacterial infections also affect the wellness of your lungs. Pneumonia is a bad lung condition that occurs due to bacterial infection. Many research studies have shown that lungs are most often prone to developing infection due to dental cavities that grow and take the position of pneumonia.
These oral bacteria transmit from the buccal area to the lungs: first reaches to upper airway and then to the lungs. Besides Pneumonia, these harmful bacteria can also cause various other respiratory infections.
There are various other concerns that arise due to malnutrition happens in case of poor dental hygiene. Oral concerns such as cellulitis, gum inflammation, gingivitis bleeding, swelling, pain, and untreated cavities disturb the development and growth cycle of children owing to agitation and difficulty in eating properly.
Good dental hygiene is cleaning and staying free of particles, plaque, or tartar in between your teeth arches, your tooth line, and gum pockets. Maintenance of dental hygiene requires regular oral care to abstain from oral diseases such as cavities, periodontal pockets, gingivitis, and terrible breath. Additionally, as we have illustrated above, good oral hygiene is also very important for your general health: poor dental care can be associated with other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even numerous respiratory problems.
Use fluoride toothpaste and an electric small-size brush with soft and flexible bristles to brush for at least two minutes in every nook and cranny of your teeth. Ensure brushing your teeth twice a day: before breakfast in the morning and before going to bed at night.
Use a water flosser for plaque and food particles stuck between the teeth where the bristle can’t reach. BOLT water flosser provides an all-in-one kit to maintain your dental hygiene including an orthodontic brush, classic jet tips for water flossing, tongue scrapper, and many more. A pressurized warm water stream gives a soothing effect to infected gums and increases blood circulation helping in the healing process.
Mouthwashes are an antiseptic and can help reduce bacteria in the process of keeping fresh breath. You can also fill your water flosser tank with warm water and mouthwash for better results.
Avoid sugary and acidic foods, which lead to tooth decay through damaging the enamel. Eat a Variety of fresh fruits and vegetables instead to maintain nutrition and avoid harming affects of sugary diets.
Make it a habit to gulp down water, right after having food to stay hydrated. This can help in cleaning away the particles of the consumed foods and reduces acidity build-up around your tongue.
Ensure that you see your dentist, so they can find any problems as soon as possible. Visit your dental hygienist twice a year for a detailed oral check-up.
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Rough bristles cause damage to the outermost layer of your teeth and don’t perform complete and satisfactory cleaning.
Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancers. Therefore, quitting smoking and tobacco can help you to improve your dental hygiene.
