04 Nov Healthy Teeth – Healthy Body: Tips to Improve Oral and Overall Health
Many patients don’t realize how maintaining your oral health benefits your overall health, but a healthy mouth truly is the gateway to a healthy body. Inflammation that is found in the mouth -usually in the form of gum disease – is correlated with inflammation found elsewhere in the body, as in diabetes or heart disease.
Fortunately, when you take good care of your smile you’ll gain other health benefits as well. Here are a few tips for making sure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible.
Take steps to keep your smile clean and free from bacteria every single day. It only takes a matter of minutes a few times a day to brush your teeth, so make sure you make time for this important task, as well as a daily flossing session. If you tend to produce a lot of plaque, you may also want to add an anti-bacterial mouthwash to your regimen.
Get professional dental care at the recommended intervals. When you see a dentist every six months, any oral diseases that might develop are more likely to be detected in earlier stages when they can be more readily treated. Additionally, professional cleanings by dental hygienists will help to eliminate any harmful bacteria that may accumulate despite a daily oral hygiene routine.
Consider working with a holistic dentist. This type of specialist takes a more integrated view of oral health and how it interacts with and influences the body’s other systems. In this way, you can maximize benefits to your smile and your body.
Monitor your smile for any symptoms of concern. – If you notice any problematic issues such as discomfort or bleeding, or red or swollen gums, schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your holistic dentist to be evaluated for conditions like gum disease or tooth decay.
Eat a nutritious, healthy diet that includes minimal sweets. The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods are just as important for your smile as they are for the rest of your body. And when you limit sweets, you’re restricting the nutrition source for the bacteria that can cause decay and gum disease.
Consult with our holistic dentist, Dr. Philip Kozlow, if you would like more suggestions on how to keep your smile healthy while giving your body a boost at the same time.