Brushing and flossing are not only beneficial for maintaining a healthy mouth and a bright smile. In fact, there are many benefits for your entire body as well. Let’s take a look at how brushing your teeth can keep you healthy from head to toe.
There are a number of ways in which brushing and flossing can help you lose weight. Your oral health, for example, can reduce your risk of diabetes and increase the likelihood that you will maintain a healthy and nutritious diet. It is difficult to eat well when your mouth is experiencing pain as a result of poor health. In addition, brushing serves as a natural signal to your brain that you have finished eating. Additionally, brushing can burn up to 3,500 calories per year. A little bit goes a long way.
For mothers, oral health is critical not only for themselves but also for their children. There is an increased risk of premature births and low birth weights for women who suffer from chronic gum disease. Pregnant women not only eat for two but also brush and floss for two.
It is also important to brush and floss your teeth regularly to maintain healthy gums. In recent studies, gum disease has been linked to cognitive dysfunction and even Alzheimer’s disease. A patient’s lifetime health and cognitive function are impacted by gingivitis.
If you suffer from bad breath, you have probably already tried some of the common remedies. Although brushing your teeth two or three times a day and using mouthwash can certainly help, the strongest smell is caused by the buildup of tartar. Brushing your teeth can remove tartar from your teeth, but flossing can help remove tartar from your gums and between your teeth. Most people with bad breath will notice improvements in their breath after flossing regularly for a week.
Poor dental hygiene allows bacteria to flourish in your mouth, for better or for worse. Even though many bacteria are beneficial for your health and essential to your well-being, this is not the case for all of them.
The bacteria present in your mouth can cause diseases throughout your body, including the lungs and even the brain. Bacteria, both beneficial and potentially harmful, are easily inhaled into the lungs with salivary particles. The bacteria that originate in your mouth can cause lung conditions such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and emphysema.
Despite the fact that brushing your teeth will not replace regular exercise or a healthy diet anytime soon, it can have a significant impact on your overall health. Be diligent in your brushing regimen and schedule your next appointment with our Alexandria Periodontist as soon as possible to achieve the most effective results. Contact Karl A. Smith DDS, LLC.
