Your Overall Health Depends On Your Oral Health – What You Should Know

Did you know that your oral health has a major effect on your overall health? In this blog from Whittier Palm Dental, we’ll discuss how your mouth and your body are linked, and provide you with some tips on maintaining good oral health. 

Why A Healthy Mouth Is Good For Our Body

A healthy mouth is good for your body in a lot of ways. For example, oral infections like gum disease and infected teeth can result in poor immune response, since your immune system has to expend a lot of resources fighting back against oral infections.

A healthy mouth is also associated with lower overall inflammation, which reduces the risk of issues like heart attack and stroke. In contrast, an unhealthy mouth raises your risk of these serious health issues. In these ways and many more, your oral health is linked closely to the health of the rest of your body. 

How Do I Keep Up With My Oral Health?

One of the best ways to keep up with your oral health is to see a dentist like Dr. Jelani Winslow for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. Dr. Winslow can assess your oral health, come up with a customized treatment plan, and ensure your smile is healthy in Montebello. 

Not only that, but routine visits to your Montebello dentist help you catch issues like tooth decay and gum disease early, which can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches in the long run. 

What’s At Risk If I’m Not Taking Care Of My Mouth?

If you’re not taking care of your mouth and develop issues like gum disease or infected teeth, you have a higher risk of a wide variety of health complications, such as:

• Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
• Higher risk of oral cancer
• Difficulties chewing and eating
• Higher risk of oral fungal infections (thrush, etc.)
• Increased inflammation throughout your body
• Compromised immune resistance to common viruses
  

What Can I Do At Home To Maintain A Healthy Smile?

If you want to keep your body and your mouth healthy, here are a few tips you can follow between your appointments at Whittier Palm Dental. 

• Brush twice a day – Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste is one of the best ways to keep your smile healthy, so make sure to maintain a good brushing routine.
  
  
• Floss once a day – Flossing removes food particles that simply can’t be eliminated with brushing alone, and it’s very helpful for preventing gum disease and cavities.
  
  
• Drink lots of water & maintain a healthy diet – Drink water and avoid sugary beverages, and don’t eat too many starchy or sugary snacks. Try to eat a diet consisting mostly of fresh vegetables and fruit, lean meat, whole grains, and healthy dairy. 
  

Need Help With Your Oral Health? Come To Whittier Palm Dental! 

At Whittier Palm Dental, Dr. Jelani Winslow can give you the guidance you need to protect your oral health and your overall health. Contact us online now or give us a call at (323) 721-7153 to schedule an appointment and get started right away.