Beyond Tooth Decay: Why Good Dental Hygiene is Important

Take a look at any movie set or in a glamour magazine and you’ll see the famous Hollywood smile. That is perfect, shiny white teeth.

Of course, these come at a price and not one that everyone can afford. But, this doesn’t mean you should neglect the health of your teeth. Tooth decay is a sign that there are problems in your mouth; good dental hygiene can help to prevent these issues.

You might be surprised at how far reaching they are!

Important Note: Good dental hygiene also involves visiting a general dentistry practice and having your fillings checked. Old silver fillings actually contain mercury which can be dangerous to your health. It is worth having them removed.

Research shows that gum disease is actually linked with the following diseases:

Alzheimer’s Disease

The Glostrop Aging Study has information regarding 152 people all over 70 at the end of the study.

Amongst other things it looked at cognitive function at 50 and at 70. There was a link between poor cognitive performance and those subjects who had gum disease at aged 70.

Subsequent research has confirmed this link and discovered that the bacteria which cause gum disease can actually move through your body. They often travel along the nerves connecting your teeth to your brain and then cause brain damage; contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s.

Pancreatic Cancer

A separate study has identified a link between pancreatic cancer and gum disease. In fact, there is a 64% higher chance of getting pancreatic cancer if you have gum disease.

While the reason for this is not yet known as the study included 51,000 men it is well researched.

Heart Disease

If you have bleeding gums then you are at higher risk of getting heart disease. This was the result of a study performed by Bristol University in the UK. This is again due to the fact that bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream.

It then sticks to your platelets and form small blood clots which increases the pressure on your heart. Eventually the blood clots can stop blood flow and cause a heart attack.

Bad Breath

This may not be a disease although it is often listed as a symptom of a condition. But, bad breath is definitely the result of poor dental hygiene, according to Jason Ray DDS. Old pieces of food are not removed from your mouth. These decay; causing the bad breath.

As they decay they cause the bacteria which attack your teeth and gums. This is why brushing properly is so important; it can prevent bacteria from lingering in your mouth and causing tooth decay.

But don’t forget that no matter how good you are at brushing your teeth a regular visit to the dentist is also important; this will ensure your teeth really are clean and that any problems are picked up early.

As with anything, the early a problem is discovered the easier it is to treat. When a simple tooth clean can help to reduce your chances of contracting Alzheimer’s then it suddenly becomes an essential part of your routine! This professional dentist in Fairfiled NJ highly recommends getting a dental checkup twice a year.