Oral health is linked to whole body health. In his book, “Real Age, Are You As Young As You Can Be?” Michael F. Roizen, MD stated: “flossing your teeth ranks right up there with quitting smoking and reducing stress as things you can do to live longer.
Why is this? Inflammation! The bacteria in the plaque on your teeth produce toxins that not only inflame your gums but get into your bloodstream, causing inflammation to be spread throughout your body. This, in turn, can affect your health. A 20-year study of 9,000 people showed that having gum disease doubled your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Inflammation also makes it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar. Other studies have shown that poor oral hygiene can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 70%, as well as making high blood pressure more difficult to control.
The inflammation from gum disease has also been linked to higher risks of various cancers. In women, it creates a three-fold risk of breast cancer as well as making it more difficult to get pregnant. It also creates a seven-fold risk of premature births and low birthweight babies. In men, gum disease can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction by 79%. Poor oral hygiene can also increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. And, it increases the risk of developing respiratory disease, including pneumonia.
Improved oral health makes your healthcare costs go down. It can save billions of dollars for the global population in medical treatment costs, including fewer emergency room visits and hospital stays as well as lower medication costs.
So, what can you do to keep your mouth healthy? Create a routine of brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day…and stick to it! First, rinse vigorously with water. Then, brush for two minutes using a soft bristle brush (medium and hard toothbrushes don’t clean any better and can damage enamel), then floss and rinse vigorously again. Finally, rinse for two minutes with fluoride mouthwash. Fluoride will strengthen the enamel and re-mineralize early cavities. Make this the last thing you do before going to bed. Also, don’t forget to change your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or after you have a cold.
For those with dexterity difficulties, I recommend an electric toothbrush. It is more efficient at cleaning than a manual brush and the larger handle can be easier to hold. For flossing, I recommend using a floss handle—the ones that look like a toothbrush handle where the floss is at a 90-degree angle to the handle. These are easier to use and do a much better job.
Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and cleaning. If you don’t have a dentist, you can go to our website: nassaudental.org and click the “Find A Dentist” button at the top. You can enter your zip code, the type of dentist you are looking for, and how far you are willing to travel. You will get a list of contact information for American Dental Association member dentists in your area. There is also a “Patient Resource” section on our website with lots of important information. Check it out and stay healthy!
“It’s just bleeding gums!” “Do I really have to floss?” “My insurance doesn’t cover that extra cleaning!” “I don’t want those gum treatments!” “I’m too busy to brush twice a day!” I’ve heard these statements hundreds of times in my career. These phrases are all ticking time bombs. Remember, a trip to the dentist could save your life!