Your mouth and your heart

One connection that is starting to slowly become more understood is the link between oral health and heart health. Those who experience inflammation and infections due to oral bacteria, such as with gum disease, are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. It’s understood that bacteria that get in through the mouth can also reach the lining of the heart, leading to endocarditis. As such, effective cleaning of the teeth and the use of antibacterial mouthwashes can be crucial for making sure that you’re not risking your heart with sub-par care.

The connection to Alzheimer’s

One aspect of oral health and its impacts on the body that is not quite as well understood is that those who experience gum disease are also more likely to experience Alzheimer’s, and vice versa. Studies are still ongoing to understand this connection, but there are hypotheses that periodontitis (gum disease) can affect the metabolism of the brain, so there is likely to be a direct connection. Given the already well known risks of gum disease, such as tooth loss and acute infection, this is just another reason to make sure that you’re looking at your gum health, not just your teeth, too.

Your mental and emotional health matter, too

Although it might not seem to be quite as direct a link as the health risks mentioned above, those who do not take care of their teeth and thus experience discoloration, decay, or tooth loss, as a result, can experience a blow to their self-esteem and self-confidence as a result. Socializing, dating, and other aspects of life can become daunting if you’re worried about your appearance, but routine work with the help of a dentist can help you steadily improve your smile. This can give you confidence and the ability to express yourself more freely in company.

So what can you do?

The single best thing that you can do to ensure that you’re not increasing your risk of the health problems mentioned above is to take care of your teeth with thorough and routine oral care. Brushing, flossing (or using a Waterpik if you have difficulty with flossing), and rinsing with mouthwash are all very important. Of course, you should make sure that you are attending your routine checkups with your dentist as well to keep an eye on things and make sure there are no issues raising that you need to deal with.

Keep the tips above in mind and, beyond taking care of your teeth through routine oral care, make sure that you’re also scheduling appointments with your dentist to get a full overview of your oral health.