Did you know that your smile is much more than just a vital part of your facial aesthetics?

It, in fact, is the mirror that reflects your overall health status. That is why when you are taking care of your oral health it is much more than just for fresh breath and a glamourous smile.

While abiding by great oral hygiene ensures that you minimise the chances of gingivitis, plaque build-up, tartar formation, bad breath and tooth sensitivity, there are also other perks derived from it.

Starting from the prevention of gum disease to the preservation of memory, there are a plethora of health benefits that you can get just by keeping your mouth clean and healthy.

“Healthy mouth is healthy you!” – so this phrase is actually true.

If you are still not convinced, here are some of the major perks that your good oral hygiene practice can bestow upon you. Take a look.

• Promote Healthier Gums – The foundation for strong and healthy teeth lies in healthier gums. The regular care for the gums and teeth can do away with the bacterial growth that can otherwise result in gum disease which happens to be infectious. This is, in fact, one of the most common causes of loss of teeth in adults. The regular brushing of teeth everyday along with a comprehensive flossing contribute towards the upkeep of the gums in a massive way. Added to that, a balanced diet assists in strengthening the gums further.
• Lower the Chances of Heart Conditions – The chronic gum inflammation is often associated with the cardio-vascular conditions like blood vessel blockage, heart disease and strokes. There are many researches that are conducted that show a link between gum disease and some serious health problems. These findings showcase that maintaining the oral health can assist to protect the overall health.
• Reduce Oral Cancer Chances – The good dental habits and healthy mouth keep off the oral cancers. Oral cancer can be prevented by the proper drinking and eating habits and regular oral care habits. Regularly going to the dentist’s office for a check-up, reduces the possibility of cancer development as along with the routine check-ups, any occurrence of the symptoms can be also detected by and consulted with the dentist at the earliest.
• Decrease the Risks of Inflammation and Infection in the Body – The poor oral health can be linked with the development of infection in the other portions of the body. Research has brought forth a link between rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease. This type of a condition can cause the inflammation of the joints. Experts suggest that the mechanism to destroy the connective tissues in both the RAs and gum disease is similar. Good oral hygiene, having a balanced diet and visiting your dentist on regular intervals can assist you to reduce the risks of gum disease. So don’t skip your brushing and flossing ever as they are essential if you want to retain good oral and overall health.
• Preserve Your Memory – The adults who have gingivitis like bleeding and swollen gums are seen to perform poorly in case of memory tests and cognitive skills than those with healthier mouths and gums. Those with the gum disease are seen to display worse results in case of 2 tests including subtraction and delayed verbal recall both of which are essential in daily life. So by opting for maintaining healthier gums you also minimise chances of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Have Healthy Pregnancy – The oral health has been linked with pregnancy in a variety of studies. The poor oral infections can lead to complications which can result in low weight babies, pre-mature delivery, birth defects and abnormalities. Proper oral care and regular dental check-ups are essential for assuring a healthy pregnancy.
• Keep Your Blood Sugar Level Stable – People whose blood sugar level is uncontrolled often are seen to have gum disease. When you suffer from diabetes, it decreases your ability to ward off infections that include gum infections leading to gum disease. Now if you don’t stick to a great oral hygiene, your chances of developing gum diseases and gum problems get enhanced even further which, in turn, destabilise your blood sugar level even more. So taking good care of your mouth assists to control your diabetic symptoms and keep the blood sugar level more stable.

Now that you know about all the perks of good oral hygiene, you should make sure that you stick to the good habits and retain a healthy smile and body for the longest time.