We all do lots of things to improve our longevity. Whether it is exercising regularly, eating well, or stopping unhealthy habits, making positive choices now can improve the quality of our lives. Yet, one factor to improving your longevity is often swept under the rug: oral health. The importance of oral health goes far beyond just keeping your teeth clean.
We wanted to get the scoop on how exactly oral health improves longevity and what we can do about it, so we asked The Smilist Dental Commack group for help. Here's what we found out.
Flossing
To begin with, we wanted to learn more about where flossing fit into the scheme of things. Many of us do not floss daily, as is recommended, because it is an extra step and the importance has not been effectively drilled into us. But, flossing is incredibly important.
When you do not floss your teeth, bacteria can build up inside of your gum lines and along the roots of your teeth. The bacteria can turn into tartar, which is a hard deposit that will irritate your gums, causing infection, and making them bleed. This can result in periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease, sometimes called gum disease, is a condition where the bacteria in your mouth as inflamed your gums to the point that they begin to recede from your teeth. Advanced periodontal disease results in tooth loss, but it has also been linked to a myriad of other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even kidney failure. The bacteria that are building within your mouth will go straight to your bloodstream, exposing the rest of your body to it.
Ultimately, regular flossing can help prevent periodontal disease from starting, increasing your longevity.
Brushing
It is recommended to brush your teeth twice day to help keep your teeth as clean as possible. Not brushing well can lead to active decay, also known as cavities. Cavities themselves can often be filled with minor restorations, but you really should be working to prevent them to begin with.
Cavities are bacteria that bore holes into your teeth. Once the enamel has been penetrated, you will never get it back. After your teeth have been drilled and refilled, they are not as strong as they once were. Brushing really helps to remove this build up of bacteria that are causing oral decay.
Looking at how this links to your longevity, consider what would happen to your mouth if you did not brush well and were not diligent about it. A simply cavity can severely impact the health of your heart and your brain. Abscesses are dangerous and can cause early death it left unchecked. Eventually, a tooth can be so far decayed that it has to be removed for the sake of the surrounding teeth. While there have been some amazing advancements in tooth replacements, nothing works as well as your originally teeth did. If you choose not to replace your teeth or continue to live with problems, your ability to eat will then be effected, potentially ruining your diet and your health.
What Can You Do?
The first thing that you can do to increase your longevity is to brush twice a day and floss once a day. Taking the few minutes a day to accomplish this task can greatly reduce your risk of developing oral health problems.
In addition, you need to visit the dental hygienist at least twice a year and the dentist at least once. These professionals can help keep your teeth clean and healthy, catching any potential problems before they have opportunity to become real problems.
Finally, you can watch what you eat. Diet naturally affects your body shape, but it also affects your oral health. If you eat foods that are high in sugars, which bacteria love, then you are at a bigger risk for developing cavities. Keeping to a diet that is high in vegetables can help keep your teeth as clean and healthy as possible.
Do not shirk the responsibility of brushing and flossing .You can easily extend the attention you give to the rest of your body to incorporate your oral health as well as you seek to extend your longevity.