Dental Health—For Your Mouth and Your Body!

Good oral hygiene is critical to ensuring healthy teeth and gums, and maintaining fresh, clean breath. Brushing, flossing and good oral hygiene keep your mouth clean and your teeth strong. They also help minimize or eliminate oral infections and diseases such as:

• tooth decay
• periodontal disease
• toothaches and abscesses
• canker sores
• cold sores.

But keep this in mind: regular oral hygiene is not just for your mouth. It's important to your overall health. That's because bacteria in your saliva can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.

Plaque, which forms as a colorless film on teeth, is a major cause of periodontal disease. If the bacteria that cause plaque are not cleaned away, they can cause infections throughout the body. These mouth infections can even increase the possibility of ailments such as:

• heart disease
• stroke
• osteoporosis
• respiratory disease
• oral cancer.

Diabetics should be especially vigilant about oral health, because unchecked mouth infections can contribute to dangerous complications. Pregnant women (or those who wish to become pregnant) should note that mouth infections might increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight babies.

Good oral hygiene consists of these routine steps:

1. Brush and floss every day. Brush at least twice a day, for at least two minutes each time. And scrape or brush your tongue. Perhaps most important, floss at least once a day.
   
2. Check your gums often. They should be pale pink and firm. Reddish, puffy gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss could be warning signs of periodontal disease. See your dentist right away.
   
3. Have regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Most dentists recommend a dental health check-up at least once a year, and many insurance companies now cover a visit every six months.
   
4. Eat a nutritious diet. A healthy, balanced diet keeps your body's immune system strong and enables it to fight infection.