Routine Dental Care | Greenbriar Dental Care
When most people think of brushing and flossing, they think about keeping a healthy smile, preventing dental carries and gum disease, and decreasing the incidence of halitosis. Maintaining Good oral hygiene is much more than the best way to keep your teeth a lifetime though; it is one of the best ways to help maintain good overall health.
Improved Nutrition
Chewing is the first step in the process of digestion. Practicing good oral hygiene habits helps maintain the health, strength, and durability of the teeth and gums which helps in the process of chewing food. Poor habits lead to cavities, tooth loss, and infected or inflamed gums, all of which hamper eating nutritious foods. When your teeth are causing pain, you are more likely to avoid eating fresh, vitamin rich foods which leads to better long-term health.
Poor Oral Health Can Lead to Other Health Problems
It’s easy to assume that oral health only concerns the mouth, but doing so could lead to other potentially serious health concerns. Continued research proves the many direct links between oral and general health. Examples include:
- Women with Gum disease show a greater incidence of pre-term, low-birth-weight babies.
- Those with poor oral care show an increased risk of developing heart disease.
- Mouth infections affect major organs.
- Problems chewing can lead to intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders.
What is Good Oral Hygiene?
Good oral hygiene is everything you do to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Doing this though requires more than brushing once a day. Make sure your daily oral care includes:
- Brushing thoroughly at least twice a day
- Flossing daily
- Using a mouthwash to kill germs
In addition to daily care, good oral hygiene includes regular visits to the dentist and dental hygienist. Dental professionals at Greenbriar Dental Care in Atlanta, GA use additional tools to help give your mouth the attention it deserves. Your dentist can also spot problem areas and treat any issues before they become more problematic. A dental professional can also help by telling you ways you can improve oral care techniques between visits. It is important to schedule regular visits at least once a year, and immediately if you notice any unusual wear, sores, swelling, or discoloration.
Great oral care should start at a young age and last throughout your lifetime. Not only with the effort pay off in a beautiful smile, it will also benefit your general health by improving nutrition and decreasing your risks for certain other diseases.
