Did you know that your oral health affects much more than the look of your smile? It can actually have an impact on your overall well-being, as well. Because the gum tissue is directly linked to the bloodstream, if the gums are infected, as is the case with periodontal (or gum) disease, it can cause toxins to enter other parts of the body. While scientists are still studying the many correlations between good oral health, and overall health, it is clear that taking excellent care of the teeth and gums through regular preventive dentistry can be beneficial to a person’s well-being, beyond just his or her smile!
How Can You Keep Your Smile Healthy?
To best care for your smile, you need to brush and floss your teeth, daily. But you also need to make regular preventive checkups a priority. Checkups and cleanings give the dentist an opportunity to check for any burgeoning dental issues, remove dental plaque, and they can, in some cases, drastically improve your overall oral health.
For most patients, every six months is the recommended timeframe for a checkup. But some patients will require more frequent visits.
Many people don’t realize that there are a number of issues that can cause some people to be more prone to dental issues like cavities and even gum disease. Genetics, lifestyle choices (such as whether or not a person smokes, how much sugar is consumed, how much water is being drunk daily, even what medications a person is taking), previous dental care and general health issues can all have an impact on one’s oral health.
So at your next dental checkup and cleaning, it’s important to ask your general dentist what you can do to best care for your smile. The dentist may recommend changes to your hygiene routine or diet, or suggest more or less frequent checkups, based on your current oral health.