Healthy Mouth, Healthy You!

We all know that good oral hygiene habits – such as regular brushing, flossing, use of antibacterial mouthwashes and regular trips to the dentist – will most likely help to prevent tooth loss and gum disease. But what you might not know is that practicing good oral hygiene habits may also help to prevent other diseases as well. Just look at what some recent studies suggest:

• Gum disease – and most likely the inflammation that goes along with it – has been linked to a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease.

• The inflammation caused by gum disease may make it harder to conceive if you’re trying to have children. And if you’re already pregnant, gum disease could increase your chances of having a child that’s born prematurely.

• You may be more likely to develop diabetes if you have gum disease.

• People with gum disease may also be more susceptible to pulmonary diseases, such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Worried about developing dementia later in life? Then keep brushing and flossing! Recent studies show that people who lose a greater number of teeth prior to the age of 35 are more likely to develop dementia than those who lose fewer teeth.

If you thought that good oral hygiene habits just prevented tooth loss and gum disease, think again! As it turns out, regular brushing and flossing, as well as visiting your dentist for professional cleanings and dental exams every six months, could be saving you from all kinds of physical problems later in life. Putting it succinctly – healthy mouth, healthy you!

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/01/oral-hygiene-health-problems_n_914565.html#s319360title=Reduced_Risk_Of