We recognize that now is a time when many people are beginning to worry for their overall health and wellbeing. However, it is important at this time especially to remember that your oral health is indicative of your overall health. While it may sound strange, your oral and dental health can actually point to underlying health issues, or aggravate or- in some cases- even cause those health issues. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist will explain the importance of keeping your mouth healthy, avoiding further health issues that could affect your whole body.
How Does Oral Health Affect Your Body?
Oral health issues can lead to issues that affect your entire body. For example, an infection in your mouth caused by gum disease or a decaying tooth can spread to other places in your mouth and, if allowed to progress, to other places of your body. Neglecting to visit your dentist when you exhibit the first signs of a dental health issue, such as sensitivity or swelling, can cause you far worse issues. In fact, recent research has discovered that the inflammation caused by gum disease causes changes to the way that fresh oxygen and your blood flow to your brain, which means that your risk of stroke doubles if you have gum disease. Other links are always being studied, so you should always take your oral and dental health seriously.
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
To keep your mouth healthy, you should:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating or touching your mouth for any reason, and limit the amount that you touch your mouth with your fingers as much as possible to avoid contracting an illness from the germs on your hands.
- Try to avoid anxious mannerisms like chewing on pens and pencils or biting your nails.
- Create or maintain a great oral health routine at home, brushing and flossing daily to ensure removal of as much plaque and bacteria as possible.
- Make sure you are always brushing your teeth for two minutes every time to clean your teeth as thoroughly as you can.
- Always store your toothbrush standing in an upright position to ensure that the bristles can dry out fully to keep away the bacteria and viruses that can live in damp environments.
- Keep attending your regular checkups and cleanings at Cedar West Family Dentistry, as well as coming in for a visit any time you notice potential symptoms, such as sensitivity, swelling, pain, or bleeding, of any oral health issues.
Our Clean Office Welcomes You
Our office is always sanitized frequently with high-quality cleaners and methods due to the sensitive nature of our work. This, coupled with the fact that we only see a few patients each day, makes our office one of the most sanitary and safe places for you to be. So, if you are having any symptoms of oral issues like gum disease or decay, or if you are due for a checkup, don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with Dr. Keller by calling Cedar West Family Dentistry in Richfield, MN, today at (612) 861-7188.
