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Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a worthy goal in and of itself. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease � and can even help you keep your teeth as you get older. Even if you brush your teeth daily, you may still have dangerous bacteria growing inside your mouth. Not only could that lead to periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease that comes with symptoms such as bleeding when you brush and gum pain), but studies also find a link between poor oral hygiene and major health issues. Here are some ways that missing the mark on oral care could harm your health. How Can Improper Oral Care Damage my Health? People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those who don�t have periodontitis. Researchers aren�t exactly sure of why this might be, but one theory is that harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart�s blood vessels, leading to inflammation and upping your risk of clots that can trigger heart attacks. Your mouth is a window into what is going on in the rest of your body, often serving as a helpful vantage point for detecting the early signs and symptoms of systemic diseases � a disease that affects or pertains to your entire body, not just one of its parts. Systemic conditions such as AIDS or diabetes, for example, often first become apparent as mouth lesions or other oral problems. In fact, more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms. Tips for a Healthy Smile How do you know if you are hitting the mark when it comes to good oral care? Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about your oral health practices. Based on their suggestions, come up with an effective routine. It should be easy to follow and should take your situation into account. Everyone can benefit from fluoride, not just children. Fluoride strengthens developing teeth in children and also helps prevent decay in adults and children. Toothpastes and mouthwashes are good sources of fluoride. Your dentist can prescribe a stronger concentration of fluoride in a gel, toothpaste or rinse if you need it. It is also important to floss your teeth every day before you brush your teeth, rather than after. That way you will be able to brush away any food that was stuck between your teeth to prevent bacteria from growing. If you find floss to be difficult to hold onto, try a floss pick instead. To really clean your teeth, aim to brush them at least twice a day, for a minimum of two minutes. Make sure you brush your tongue and cheeks as well as the chewing surfaces to improve the removal of harmful bacteria in the crevices. Brushing and flossing your teeth help to remove plaque, which is a complex mass of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed every day, it can turn the sugars found in most foods and drinks into acids that lead to decay. Talk to your dentist in Pleasant Hill about how often you should visit. By maintaining routine dental visits and a proper at-home oral hygiene regimen, you can ensure a healthy smile and body.
Dr. Michael Huguet, dentist in Pleasant Hill, has been practicing dentistry since 1991, receiving his dental training from the University of California, San Francisco. Working alongside Dr. Huguet is Dr. Michelle Feliciano-Turner, Pleasant Hill dentist, who began her career in dentistry over 17 years ago, holding every position in the dental office.
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