Although it is common knowledge that good oral hygiene is vital for overall health, many don’t know that it directly affects oral health.
Many health issues start in the mouth. They can then spread to or cause problems in other parts of your body. While you may be practicing good hygiene and avoiding harmful habits to keep your mouth healthy you are also keeping your whole body healthy.
Preventing Health Problems from Maladies
Bad oral hygiene can prevent other diseases from developing. One study at the University of Texas showed that poor oral health is a risk factor to oral human papillomavirus, or HPV (human papillomavirus) infection. HPV has been proven to be responsible for 40 to 80 percent in the incidence of oropharyngeal tumors.
Gum disease increases your risk of many diseases. 40% of the bacteria found inside the arteries in stroke patients is from the mouth. Bacteria from the mouth can mix with blood platelets and cause blood clots, heart disease and heart attack. People with gum disease are at greater risk for chronic lung disease, high blood sugar, and hyperglycemia.
Good oral hygiene habits will help you keep your mouth clean, and prevent bacteria from spreading to other parts of your body. Surprisingly, your oral health can also be a key factor in your weight loss goals.
Healthy Weight
Healthy teeth can be a motivator to help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. It can be hard to stay away from sugary foods such as candy and soda when trying to lose weight.
To prevent sugar from causing tooth damage, you can choose to eat healthy, hearty foods.
You can lose weight by making small lifestyle changes, such as brushing more often. Brushing your teeth after every meal will cause the toothpaste to stick in your mouth, making it difficult to mix with other foods.
After brushing, you will feel fresh and clean. Do not forget to floss ! It can also prevent you from putting unnecessary snacks in your mouth.