There’s nothing like a bright, toothy smile, but oral health is a lot more than white teeth and fresh breath. The fitness inside our mouths affects our overall health, and gum disease has been linked to chronic conditions that impact the whole body. Doctors consider an unhealthy mouth a gateway to a diminished immune response. The mouth, it turns out, is a window into what’s going on in the rest of the body.

You’re more fit when your mouth is fit, too
The condition of teeth and gums can reveal early signs of serious systemic issues such as coronary artery disease, strokes, diabetes, premature births, respiratory disease, arthritis, and breast cancer.

With a healthy immune system, the presence of oral bacteria in your bloodstream causes no problems—a normal immune system is adept to prevent the threat of infection. But with a compromised immune response, the oral bacteria in your bloodstream (called bacteremia) can give way to an infection in other parts of the body.

Dental checkups are for teeth, gums, and your well-being
Startling but true: 75% of adults over 35 years of age suffer from gum-related issues or periodontal disease. Although signs of blood on your toothbrush can be an early warning, gum disease often goes undetected until a visit with your dentist.

Whether or not you’re susceptible to gum disease, professional cleanings are essential to maintaining good oral hygiene. No matter how well you brush and floss, it will never replace the role of a dental hygienist. Cleanings every six months are often adequate to remove plaque buildup and disrupt the ecology of naturally occurring bacteria. Poorly maintained gum tissue—due, in part, to too few checkups—increases your risk of bone loss and infection.

Between visits to the dentist, most everyone can maintain healthy gums by sticking to the basics:

  • Brush your teeth two times a day (but be careful with how hard you brush)
  • Floss daily (ask your hygienist for tips)
  • Get regular checkups

Meanwhile, be wary of periodontal disease’s greatest risk factors:

  • Smoking
  • An unhealthy diet
  • Obesity
  • Men are more likely to have gum disease than women
  • Pregnancy hormonal changes can magnify the severity of gum disease

Good oral hygiene saves you
Hardly a surprise, but research indicates a direct connection between good oral hygiene and a reduction in medical care costs. Failing to address the signs of tooth decay and gum disease can levy a heavy toll—to your pocketbook and your physical and emotional well-being.

Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a worthy goal in and of itself—after all, who doesn’t want a bright smile and good teeth to take down so many delicious foods? But when you consider the span of a lifetime, there’s no underestimating how much good oral health contributes to your sustained wellness and overall fitness.

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