The importance of dental hygiene extends beyond your smile. Good dental hygiene, of course, will help you to have that great smile. However, there are more benefits associated with oral hygiene than being able to light up a room. Read below to learn the importance of dental hygiene to your overall health, from the mouth to the rest of your body.
The Importance of Dental Hygiene For Your Health
How important is good dental hygiene to the health of your mouth? According to the Mayo Clinic, they called it “a window to your overall health.” The importance of oral hygiene extends beyond the mouth, with ramifications for the rest of your body. Many kinds of bacteria live in our mouths, most of them harmless. However, neglecting your teeth and mouth help breed those bacteria, which can then spread into our respiratory and digestive tracts.
Don’t allow tooth decay or gum disease create oral infections that lead to bigger and more serious issues. Oral bacteria that moves into the inner lining of the heart can cause an infection called endocarditis. Bacteria that moves into the lungs can cause pneumonia, which in severe cases is fatal. The importance of oral hygiene plays a significant roll in your overall health and wellbeing.
Oral bacteria can cause disease in other parts of the body. These bacteria may originate from improperly cleaned teeth, as an outcome of inadequate flossing and brushing. What was once a simple cavity can, with time and further neglect, become a life-threatening infection. As you can see, the importance of dental hygiene is irrevocably intertwined with your overall health.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene Goes Beyond A Great Smile
Broken, missing, and misaligned teeth can create image and self-esteem issues. It can rob people of the confidence they might otherwise have, to engage, laugh, to simply smile. In a society that constantly promotes models, actors, athletes, and normal people with perfect teeth, a damaged smile can damage your self-worth. A broken smile has the potential to break your social potential, which of course has further emotional effects.
Don’t leave shiny white teeth in your dreams. With professional dental care, you can achieve the smile you always knew you had.
For Your Life for Your Health and Your Smile
The importance of dental hygiene is something most of us have heard about since we were youngsters. For many of us today, we are now the ones who are saying those same words to our children, “brush your teeth,” and “don’t forget to floss.” Whether or not you have a child, practicing good dental hygiene and leading by example is an exemplary idea. The importance of oral hygiene has ramifications for your health, your social life, and, of course, your wallet. The best way to save on dental work is to not need dental work in the first place.
If you do need dental work, however, Columbia Smiles is ready to help. Make sure you stay on top of your dental checkup schedule so we can help you maintain good dental hygiene. Only a professional dentist can ensure that your mouth and teeth are healthy.
Contact Columbia Smiles online or call us at 410.690.4855 and let us give you more than a few reasons to smile.