World Oral Health Day is approaching and we’re celebrating at Fischer Family Dentistry! This annual event, celebrated on March 20th, is aimed to empower people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to secure good oral health. Our family dentists work hard to do the very same every day and want to remind our patients of the importance of good oral health and share tips on how to best practice it.
It Affects Your Overall Physical Health
Just like other parts of your body, your mouth contains bacteria, and while most of it is harmless, some can cause disease and infection without proper care.
This is one of the many reasons keeping your oral health in good shape is important, as daily brushing and flossing can typically keep bacteria under control. However, without the proper care, it can reach levels that could lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even heart disease. Research from Harvard shows that patients with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of having heart disease.
Outside of heart disease, here are other health complications that can arise due to poor oral hygiene:
● Endocarditis: This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.
● Pneumonia: Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
● Birth Complications: Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Keeps Your Smile Bright, White, and Intact
One of the most common dental problems for people of all ages is tooth loss. This can happen for a variety of reasons, many due to heavy plaque buildup resulting in severe tooth decay.
Additionally, plaque build-up also results in a less bright, not as white smile. Visiting your family dentists at Fischer Family Dentistry twice a year for regular cleanings will help prevent tooth loss, allow for early detection of oral diseases, and keep your smile bright.
For those looking to enhance their smile through teeth whitening, braces, veneers, or filling replacement, our team also offers a variety of cosmetic services at our Garden City office.
Affects Your Mental Health
Your oral health isn’t only linked to your physical health, but your mental as well. Oral health affects our ability to eat, speak, smile, and show emotions. Whether it’s due to cosmetic reasons or pain, it can affect a person’s self-esteem, school performance, and attendance at work or school.
Keeping up with your oral health will ensure you feel not only confident and happy with your smile, but also remain pain free.
Improves Digestion
Gut issues often display as symptoms in your mouth because it is the beginning of the digestive tract. Digestive health can impact your oral health and vice versa. When you experience dental issues like misalignment or tooth loss, it can affect your ability to chew food properly making it more difficult for your stomach to digest food and absorb proper nutrients. Addressing these issues with our family dentists can lead to not only better gut health, but oral as well.
Low Cost
Keeping your oral health in good standing is the number one way to reduce related medical expenses. Our dentists can typically catch cavities and tooth decay early on in hopes that with proper care, it can be fixed before fillings or removal is needed. Visiting your dentist for preventative cleanings and care is much cheaper than emergency care.
Practicing Good Oral Health
While visiting our family dentists twice a year is important for deeper cleanings and health screenings, practicing good oral health starts at home, with you.
The best daily oral hygiene routine should include the following:
● Brushing your teeth twice a day
● Flossing daily
● Using mouthwash
● Rinsing your mouth with water after meals or sweets treats
● Avoiding tobacco use
● Opt-in for fluoride treatment during regular cleanings
Oral diseases are a major health concern for many countries and negatively impact people throughout their lives. From tooth loss to pain and discomfort, these things can lead to social isolation and loss of self-confidence, in addition to more serious health issues. World Oral Health Day is important because most of these issues are preventable through education and regular teeth cleanings.
To learn more about World Oral Health Day, visit their website at www.worldoralhealthday.org. To book a cleaning with our family dentists at Fischer, please visit our contact page or call us at 734-422-4350.
World Oral Health Day is an initiative of FDI World Dental Federation; an organization that brings together the world of dentistry with the aim of achieving optimal oral health for everyone. Learn more about the FDI World Dental Federation.
