Many people focus on maintaining a well-balanced diet and doing regular exercise, and they think that this is all there is to a healthy lifestyle, but this is not the case. Keeping your teeth strong and healthy is also a key part to living a healthier lifestyle and living longer in general. Studies have shown that those who clean their teeth properly and have a healthier mouth as a result live longer than those who don’t.
If you need more than that to convince you to take better care of your mouth, then keep reading to learn about the risks.
Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
The main risk of unhealthy teeth and gums is the development of gum disease. Gum disease is a nasty illness that will affect more than just your mouth in the long run. Even though your dentist might be able to provide you with a gum disease treatment, preventing it in the first place is the best option due to the potential complications it can lead to. Gum disease is known to be caused by or related to many health problems that are life threatening, including:
- Strokes
- Dementia
- Certain forms of cancer
- Premature pregnancies
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
Gum disease is also known to cause blood clots, which is what causes many of these issues, including heart problems.
It is especially important to take good care of your teeth when you are pregnant in order to avoid contracting gum disease. Even though your mind will be on many other things, cleaning your teeth should still be a priority. It has been proven that women with gum disease are much more likely to give birth prematurely and have a baby that is dangerously underweight than those who have healthy gums.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Ultimately, gum disease is caused when you don’t brush your teeth often or well enough. When teeth and gums go uncleaned or aren’t cleaned properly, plaque and bacteria can build up in the mouth which causes inflammation, and eventually the plaque and bacteria can end up in the bloodstream. This is what causes a multitude of problems for your body as a result.
How Can You Prevent It?
Gum disease, luckily, is a disease that is easily preventable with correct and consistent care.
To avoid this risk, you should clean your teeth for a full two minutes daily, making sure you reach the back of your mouth and other hard to reach areas. It is also a good idea to brush your tongue as well. Brush with a good quality fluoride toothpaste and wash away any extra debris, plaque or bacteria with mouthwash, and follow with flossing!
You should also have regular check-ups with your dentist to ensure that you are brushing your teeth properly, and that there aren’t any hidden issues that you can’t see. Dental supply companies offer dentists the best instruments and equipment for ensuring that your mouth stays strong and healthy, so you should always make sure to take advantage of this and minimise your risk of gum disease.
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Cleaning your teeth and maintaining a healthy mouth is just as important as eating the right foods and getting 30 minutes of exercise every day.
