Health is essential for many people. If you want to stay fit and live long, you need to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and sleep well. However, the sad thing is many forget to include dental care as part of their overall health and wellness plan. Not many realize the importance of clean and healthy teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth in maintaining a sound body and mind.
If you are unconvinced about the correlation between oral health and overall wellness, read on. Here are six reasons why maintaining dental health is essential for your wellbeing.
- Boost Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is an essential part of an individual’s overall mental health. One thing that can boost anyone’s self-confidence is a gorgeous smile, which you can quickly achieve if you have a set of strong, white teeth.
Teeth problems, such as teeth gaps, discolored or decaying front teeth, and bad breath, can usually make anyone self-conscious. When that happens, you won’t feel comfortable mingling or talking with other people. If you’re not confident interacting with others because you can’t smile freely and openly, your mental health and self-confidence may suffer.
That said, it’s not the end of the world if you feel self-conscious because of your teeth problems. All you must do is regularly brush and floss your teeth to improve your dental health. If you have other pressing dental issues, dentists have various treatments that include dental implants, tooth filling, teeth whitening services, and even straightening crooked teeth. All these can help improve your smile.
- Promote Long Life
Believe it or not, there’s a correlation between good oral hygiene and mortality rate. It’s especially true among the senior population. A study has shown that people who brush their teeth, floss daily, and see the dentist regularly live longer than those who have poor oral hygiene.
- Lower Risks Of Serious Health Problems
The mouth is full of bacteria, and it can become the source of infection and diseases. Some of these problems can turn into severe chronic conditions. So, if you want to lower your risk of infection, you should spend time caring for your teeth, mouth, and gums. Some of the diseases caused by poor dental care and hygiene include pneumonia, endocarditis, cardiovascular diseases, and even pregnancy complications.
Suppose you are already suffering from chronic illnesses that impair your immune system’s ability to fight off infection. In that case, you have increased susceptibility to other diseases if you have lingering gum or mouth problems. Thus, it would help if you were more proactive about your dental health. Visit your dentist immediately if you think you are developing dental-related conditions.
- Prevent Dental Problems
Tooth decay can cause some of the most excruciating types of pain a person can experience. If you want to prevent halitosis, tooth decay, or gum disease, you should always be mindful of your dental health. Visit the dentist at the first sign of cavities or gum problems so you can prevent permanent dental issues like tooth decay or tooth loss.
- Detect Dreaded Diseases Early
If you care about your dental health, you will notice even the most subtle changes in your gums, mouth, and tongue. So, even a slight pain may compel you to visit the dentist. This proactive approach to oral health can help save your life because it can lead to the early detection of serious diseases.
For example, receding gums are a subtle symptom of diabetes. Your dentist may detect this and refer you to a physician immediately to have yourself checked and managed for diabetes. It pays to be proactive about visiting your dentist, even if you are not suffering from a toothache.
Your dentist can also detect early signs of oral cancer. You may not easily see the white patch or the small red bump inside your mouth, especially if they don’t cause any pain or discomfort. But your dentist may detect them and recommend that you see an oncologist. Early detection is key to fighting cancer and other serious diseases.
- Lower Oral Care Costs
Root canal, tooth implants, and tooth extraction are expensive dental treatments that you can avoid if you just take extra care of your teeth and gums. Visiting your dentist twice a year is cheaper compared to emergency dental treatments. So, if you don’t want to spend for easily preventable oral problems, be proactive and follow guidelines for maintaining good dental hygiene.
The Bottom Line
Aside from maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress, you should also include good dental hygiene as part of your healthy lifestyle. Keeping your teeth and gums in excellent condition is essential to your overall wellness, and can even help prolong your life.