The tradition of making new year’s health resolutions is an opportunity for people to recommit to taking care of their wellbeing. Throughout the year, it can be easy to stray from the path of taking care of your body and mind and become discouraged. That’s why it’s important to make attainable goals that don’t involve drastically altering your daily life. The best place to start improving your overall health is with your mouth. Read on to learn the connection your teeth and gums have with the rest of your health and what you can do to boost your wellbeing.
Connecting Your Oral Health To The Rest of Your Body
Studies have confirmed that the health of your teeth and gums plays a vital role in how the rest of your body is able to function. Whether you want to improve your confidence, respiratory or heart health, or mental wellbeing in 2020, you’ll find that the best way to make big changes is to start with protecting your mouth and building good dental habits.
Confidence & Oral Health
Not all dental problems are visible to onlookers. However, because you know they’re there, they’ll begin to affect your confidence. Whether you have gum disease or a cosmetic imperfection like discolored teeth, these issues can get in your way of feeling social and showing your happiness by smiling. When you’re confident that your teeth are as healthy as can be, you’ll feel like showing them off more.
Heart Health & Oral Health
Many people aren’t aware that the health of their gums can have an important impact on the health of their heart as well. Gum disease is a common preventive oral issue that results due to an accumulation of harmful bacteria. When these bacteria feed off of substances found in plaque like sugar and carbohydrates, they break them down and release toxins into your mouth that can cause inflammation and infection. When the issue goes unaddressed, these toxins can spread through your blood to other parts of your body, like your heart. Studies have shown that up to 91 percent of patients who have heart disease also have gum disease, compared to 66 percent of people without heart disease.
Depression & Oral Health
Your oral health can even have an impact on your mental health by escalating symptoms of depression and anxiety. When you’re dealing with depression, it can be hard to motivate yourself to keep up with your oral hygiene routine. According to a study published in Nature Communications in 2019, there may also be a genetic link between symptoms of mental health and the mouth.
Committing To a Healthier New Year
Instead of making massive goals that are impossible to pull off, a great attainable place to start is by improving your oral health. By doing this, you’ll also be taking better care of your mental health as well as your body. Start off 2020 by:
- Flossing your teeth at least once a day.
- Visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months.
- Be mindful of your consumption of sweets.
- Brush your teeth at least twice each day.
- Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash.
Having a healthier smile will make you feel better both on the inside and outside. A thorough dental hygiene routine can keep you grounded during 2020 and help lift a weight off of your shoulders by minimizing symptoms of other health problems found throughout your body.
About the Author
Dr. Charles Walker is committed to helping his patients preserve the health and beauty of their smile by providing thorough preventive dental care, such as routine checkups and cleanings. While he also offers a variety of other services, he strives to provide his patients with the tools and knowledge they need to care for their oral and overall wellbeing. He stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field so he can efficiently and effectively deal with even the peskiest health issues with ease. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Confident Brilliant Smiles’ website or call 801-467-6886.