Dental Health Impacts Overall Health

Smiling woman in the sun
How would you change your oral health hygiene and habits if you knew it could protect you from heart disease, pregnancy complications, diabetes, and other health issues?

Gateway to the Body

The link between our oral health and overall health is real, and we can affect positive change in our bodies and prevent serious health problems by caring for our mouths. We can make conscious efforts to maintain our overall health when we realize that it can be affected by our oral health.

Maintaining Dental Health

The best way to maintain dental health is practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. Your goal should be a set of teeth that are free of cavities and disease and gums that don’t bleed when you floss and brush. Use those as indicators of your overall health, and if you suspect you have gum disease, call us today to schedule an evaluation. Read on for more details about how to maintain oral health that leads to excellent overall health.

Healthy Diet

Your mouth, teeth, and gums are the first step in your dietary process, and so what you eat is not only important for your overall health, but your teeth and gums too. To protect and rebuild tooth enamel, replenish your dietary intake with plenty of calcium-rich food (cheese, yogurt, leafy greens, milk, and almonds) and protein-packed food (fish, milk, eggs, and meat). And don’t forget to drink plenty of water, the understated tooth-friendly beverage that hydrates while washing away all the debris in your mouth that can lead to tooth decay.

On the flip side, try to limit the sugary foods because, cavities aside, they can damage your overall health, wreaking havoc on energy levels and heart health by triggering an inflammatory response. This can be especially difficult these days, as we continue to quarantine and work from home. Comfort food is no joke when we’re stressed and anxious. That’s why it’s crucial to establish some healthy habits to ensure optimal dental and overall health.

Did you know?
Apples clean your teeth as you eat them! The old saying holds true for dental health: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Healthy Habits

The following healthy habits may seem obvious. But how can you establish them as part of your daily routine? Make a list, reinstate the following habits into your day, and watch how much better your mouth, body, mind, and spirit feel.

  • Daily, brush for two minutes twice and floss once before bed.
  • Fill up your water bottle and keep it by your side all day. Woman should drink about 2 liters a day and men 3 liters. That means women, with a standard 32-ounce water bottle, need to fill it up twice a day and men three times.
  • If you must eat sugary or acidic foods, do so with your meal. This will help to allow your saliva (which is already caused by your chewing) to wash away any bacteria.
  • Notice your triggers. If you tend to eat more when you’re stressed or emotional, make a point of keeping healthy snacks on hand that you can conveniently grab.
  • Set up outlets for your stress, like walking, exercising, meditation, etc.

Regular Hygiene

As your dental team, we use your mouth as a window into the rest of your body to gain insight into its health. Poor oral health is closely connected to chronic overall health conditions. And as it affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation and infection wherever it goes. That’s why we strongly encourage you to practice good oral hygiene and keep up on your regular dental cleaning and checkups- it’s good for your whole body.

Professional Dental Care

Professional dental cleanings are one of the best things you can do for your dental and overall health. The removal of plaque and tartar with our specialized tools so that you can walk out the door with a whiter and brighter smile is just one way you benefit from a cleaning. On a deeper level, our expert dentist, Dr. King, examines your mouth for signs of cancer, identifying potential problems early before they develop into larger problems. Read more about the advantages of our professional teeth cleanings here.

Did you know?
Floss can only reach so far below the gum line. Dental professionals can provide a deeper cleaning with specialized tools and techniques than you can with flossing at home.

Red Oak Dentistry considers your whole-body health as we care for your teeth and gums, understanding the deep connection between our mouths and the central nervous system, heart, circulatory system, and immune system. We provide thorough dental procedures, treating oral infections that elevate systemic inflammation. Now more than ever, as we continue to make our way through the pandemic, pay extra attention to your oral health so that down the road, when COVID-19 is in the rearview mirror, you’ll be feeling healthy and happy from head to toe.

Call us today! Red Oak Dentistry Phone Number 919-781-8984