Its important to practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, as it can help to improve the overall health of your body. Brushing and flossing are the key to a healthy mouth, and it only takes a few minutes of your time each day. Your mouth is the first part of your body to come in contact with harmful bacteria, and if you remove these bacteria before they begin to multiply and spread to the rest of your body, you can prevent many diseases. Gum Disease Gum disease, such as gingivitis, is the first sign or poor oral hygiene. It is caused by the build-up of harmful bacteria in the mouth and can cause your gums to bleed and become swollen. If not dealt with, gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease where it affects the bones of the teeth, causing the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Bleeding gums allow harmful bacteria to enter into the bloodstream where they can cause inflammation in the blood vessels which affect the overall health of the body. Gum disease may also prevent you from eating certain foods that are a part of a healthy diet, such as nuts, raw carrots or apples. They may be difficult to bite into and irritate the gums. Not eating a proper diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and disease. A Healthy Heart When harmful bacteria is able to enter into the bloodstream it causes the walls of arteries to become inflamed. In the attempt to defend itself against the inflammation, the body deposits fat tissues along the walls which contribute to clots and the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and in many cases even death. Healthy Lungs Blood vessels to the lungs may become clogged and as a result the lungs will not get enough oxygen for them to function properly. Lungs can also become contaminated by the bacteria from the mouth if it enters into the bloodstream. This can result in bacterial pneumonia and respiratory problems. Control Diabetes If you are diabetic you may want to consider taking extra steps and improve your oral hygiene practices. Studies reveal that diabetes increases your risk of gum disease, cavities and oral infection. If infections or bleeding gums occur, they can raise your blood sugar levels, making it more difficult for you to keep your diabetes under control. But when good oral hygiene is practiced along with a healthy diet you can prevent infection and bleeding gums from occurring. Pregnancy If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you may also want to consider good oral hygiene practices. Studies have shown that infections in the mouth can affect the baby--resulting in premature birth as well as low weight births. Proper oral hygiene does not take a lot of time, nor is it expensive if you take the proper steps to prevent serious infections or cavities in the mouth. All you need is a good toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. You can also invest in a tongue scraper, but it is optional as you can just brush your tongue with your toothbrush.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:30:32 +0000
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