Why Oral Health is Critical for Overall Health

As we’re all attempting to get back to normal following the global pandemic, it’s more crucial than ever that we do all we can to ensure that we remain healthy. It’s lucky that there are some things we can do each day to accomplish that. In the next few paragraphs, we’ll talk about how vital oral health is to your overall health and keeping your immune system strong.

Dental Exams

The thing is, even when you do everything else we’ll discuss today, there’s still going to be plaque on your teeth that you just won’t be able to reach yourself. That’s where your dentist comes in. When you see a local professional like one of the Oak Park dentists for your normal six-month cleaning, the hygienist will get rid of any buildup of plaque. Then your dentist will do a thorough examination of your teeth to prevent or diagnose any issues. Moreover, you can visit Aria Dental for the best dental services, in case you’re an Australian resident and looking for the best dental services in your surroundings.

Diet

When your body lacks the nutrients it has to have, it’ll be more difficult for your mouth to fight off any sort of infection. That’s why when you’re trying to get to a healthier you, you need to have a balanced diet. Be sure that you eat foods that are high in protein and calcium because this assists with strengthening your teeth. Also, foods like apples or carrots that are crunchy, especially when you eat them following a meal, will increase the amount of saliva present in your mouth which can assist with washing away food particles and bacteria.

Brush

No article about oral health would be complete without touching on brushing your teeth. The reason proper brushing is so important is that it drastically reduces the overall number of bacteria that are in your mouth, and it assists with removing any buildup of plaque on your teeth. In fact, brushing for a period of two minutes can remove over 40% of the plaque on your teeth. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. The enamel of your teeth is actually the hardest thing on your body, but you still need to take care of it. Think of it as a sort of shell that protects your tooth.

Floss

Many people never floss their teeth at all. However, even though there are more fun things to do than flossing, it’s crucial because it removes plaque and food particles stuck between or on the teeth in places where brushing can’t reach. This helps decrease bacteria before it has the chance to begin to build up and cause issues. If you find that you’re forgetting to floss, just leave the floss next to your toothbrush where you can see it. You might also floss while doing something else – like watching TV. Choose floss that will work the best for you. You can even use a Waterpik if flossing is difficult.

Mouthwash

Using mouthwash on a daily basis that contains essential oils or fluoride is an effective and easy method of helping to fight against tooth decay, plaque, and gingivitis. 

Oral health is simply a single piece of the puzzle that is your overall health. Think about this – your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, there can be more than 700 different strains in there right now! That said, the typical mouth only has between 30 and 40 strains, but that’s still not too pleasant.

Most of the bacteria that live in the mouth are the good kind and you can take care of the rest with proper oral hygiene. Follow the tips you’ve read here today and you’ll be well on your way to maintaining your oral health and therefore, your overall health as well.