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How Oral Hygiene Affects Health
Posted on April 10th, 2022
When we think of dental care, most people think of visiting their dentist for check-ups and teeth cleanings. However, dental care also references at-home daily care, such as brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, using mouthwash, etc. The efforts we put into our oral health at home are just as important as visiting the dentist for annual exams, because daily oral care is precisely what aids in establishing and maintaining good oral hygiene.
Oral hygiene is vital to your dental health, and without cleaning your teeth and gums properly every day, they can become vulnerable to disease. This is because if you do not maintain a healthy environment for your teeth and gums, bacteria can accumulate and cause enamel to break down, and put you at a higher risk of developing cavities, gum disease, infections, oral cancer, and more.
What are The Signs of Poor Oral Hygiene
The signs of poor oral hygiene usually manifest as tooth decay and other dental issues, such as tooth pain, loss of enamel, receding or swollen gums, tooth loss, sensitive teeth, and more.
Without proper dental care, oral hygiene will decline. When this occurs, various issues will arise over time, leading to poor dental health, which can eventually result in other health problems throughout the body.
Certain patients may be more susceptible to poor oral hygiene than others, even with proper daily care. Experiencing poor oral hygiene with braces is a frequent problem patients undergoing orthodontic treatment come into contact with. Patients who are elderly, prone to cavities, or pregnant are other examples of people who may be more vulnerable to dental issues, and therefore, may require more frequent dental care, including cleanings and check-ups, to maintain good oral health.
Oral Hygiene and Health
Oral health is directly related to our overall health, meaning that if a patient has dental issues like untreated cavities, tooth loss, gum disease, etc., it will impact their general health, as well.
Some issues that can be caused by or linked to poor oral health include the following:
- Heart Disease
- Jaw Bone Loss (this happens if a patient has lost teeth)
- Pregnancy Complications (i.e. preeclampsia, low birth weight, premature birth, etc.)
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Diabetes (or worsening symptoms of diabetes)
Protect Your Teeth at Windy City Family Dental
If you are looking for quality dental care in Chicago, IL, schedule an appointment with Windy City Family Dental today and learn more about our preventative dental care services.
