We all know that we should take care of our mouths. It’s been taught to us since childhood to brush our teeth twice a day, use floss, and try to stay away from sweets if we want to have a killer smile. But it is about more than just how our teeth look. Taking care of our teeth can have a positive impact on our lives and health, as well as save us money down the line!
Your oral health is an essential part of your overall health, so it is more important than you think. Let’s explore why.
Your Oral Health Says a Lot About General Health
If we think of our bodies like machines, you’ll see that each component of it works together to keep us healthy and safe. And our mouths, and therefore oral health, is a key cog in this machine. Your oral health can tell you other things about your overall health, and indicate whether your body is healthy or not.
Poor Oral Health is Linked to More Severe Health Issues
People who have bad teeth or poor oral health are not only more likely to have to visit the dentist, but also are more likely to develop more severe health issues. Problems such as poor cardiovascular health are associated with severe gum disease, and if you develop cancer in the mouth, it can spread to other parts of the body too.
It Can Affect Your Mental Health
Your teeth, if not taken care of properly, can be cracked, stained and in extreme cases, rotten. Having a bright, white, and even million dollar smile is seen as a key component of being attractive, so poor oral hygiene can affect your mental health as well as physical health.
We all want to feel confident, and things like crooked teeth and bad breath can drastically affect that confidence. It can also affect the way we move through the world, potentially even impacting our relationships and job prospects too.
How to Take Care of Your Mouth
Taking care of your teeth should be part of your daily routine, but there’s always room for improvement. Here are a couple of tips to help you boost your oral health and keep those pearly whites in top shape.
- Brush Twice Daily
This is an obvious one, but remember to be strict about when you brush your teeth. Experts even say that ideally, we should brush after every meal, but twice daily will cut it too.
As well as using our brushes, there’s also products like mouthwash and floss that can aid us in keeping our teeth and gums clean and healthy. So use them too to help get those hard to reach areas and get rid of any nasty germs that may be lingering after you brush your teeth.
- Be Mindful of What You Eat
Diet is such an important part of your health, and foods that are high in sugars can erode the protective enamel on our teeth. When you eat foods high in sugar, try to brush soon after, or avoid them altogether if possible.
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Lastly, make sure you book your appointment with your dentist every 6 months. They’ll make sure you have no long term issues, and will be able to spot any if they do come up before they get worse.
