Brushing your teeth properly and regularly is essential for a healthy and happy smile. It’s pretty clear there are plenty of benefits to proper oral care, but there are a lot of little-known and unexpected reasons why oral care is so important. Read on to learn more about the wide range of benefits you get from taking excellent care of your mouth.
1. Good oral hygiene promotes better gum health
Leaving bacteria to accumulate in your mouth is a big problem. With proper brushing and flossing, these buildups are properly cleared from your mouth before they form plaque, which in turn can cause gum inflammation, as well as other diseases of the gums such as periodontitis and gingivitis.
Dental issues are not in any way pleasant, but problems with your gums may cause you severe pain, bleeding and tooth loss.
2. Promotes healthier pregnancy
Several studies have also shown that the benefits of good oral hygiene can extend beyond the individual in some cases. Some of these studies found a relationship between gum disease and pregnancy complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
3. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
Inflammation can be caused by gum disease. Recent research has found that people with gum inflammation are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later on. People with healthy gums, on the other hand, are far less likely to develop the condition.
4. Reduces the risk of cancer and heart attack
Pancreatic cancers can also be triggered by gum disease, although scientists are yet to grasp the full mechanism and principles behind this. The general thought is that this is caused by substances in the mouth that are bacterial in nature, which helps cancerous cells grow and proliferate.
5. Reduces infertility risk
In women with poor oral hygiene, it’s possible for the inflammation to spread and extend toward the reproductive organs. For those looking to conceive, this can pose a difficult situation.
One study that compared women with poor oral hygiene with those with good dental practices discovered that those with poor oral hygiene are likely to take about two months longer to conceive compared to the group with good oral health.
The evidence is clear: There is a lot to be gained from good oral hygiene.
If you’d like more information on how to ensure your oral hygiene routine is strong, or if you’d like to set up an appointment, call us today at 425-320-0729.
