Brushing your teeth not only helps you keep your friends, it’s good for your health!
Our family has a funny saying. We brush our teeth at night to have good health and brush our teeth in the morning to keep our friends. Although in reality it is important to brush your teeth multiple times a day, with the start of a new school year it is still a good reminder to get those pearly whites ready to shine.
Brushing your teeth helps your whole body. Start the school year off right with the right dental hygiene. Here are some important facts about keeping your mouth clean.
1. Your Mouth is Home to Billions of Bacteria 🦠
It sounds gross, but your mouth is basically a bustling city for bacteria. Some are good, but others cause cavities and gum disease if left unchecked.
The research: The Journal of Dental Research reports that gum disease (periodontitis) affects nearly 50% of adults over age 30. That means half of us are battling gum trouble at some point!
2. Healthy Gums = Healthy Heart ❤️
Did you know that skipping floss could affect your heart?
Studies published in Circulation and The New England Journal of Medicine suggest that gum disease is linked with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
Observational studies support an association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease or the hardening of your arteries due to plaque build up.
So yes, flossing might actually be saving your life.
3. Gum Health and Diabetes Go Hand-in-Hand 🍩
People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease, and gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control.
A review in Diabetes Care found that treating gum disease can actually help improve blood sugar levels.
Think of it this way: brushing and flossing may help keep both your teeth and your blood sugar in check.
4. Dental Hygiene Helps You Age Gracefully 🎉
Here’s a wild fact: research from The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with tooth loss were more likely to experience memory problems.
Scientists believe oral inflammation could be linked to brain inflammation.
So, keeping your teeth healthy now could help keep your memory sharp later.
5. Fresh Breath and Confidence 😁
Last but not least: good dental hygiene makes life a whole lot more enjoyable. You’ll feel confident at work, in social settings, and on date nights.
Your mouth is the gateway to your body—treat it well, and it will treat you well right back.
👉 Looking to check your dental health? Give us a call! We are accepting New Patients (360)785-4755
References
Eke PI, et al. “Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010.” Journal of Dental Research. 2012. Link
Lockhart PB, et al. “Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Does the Evidence Support an Independent Association?” Circulation. 2012. Link
Hardan L, Matta A, Bourgi R, Cuevas-Suárez CE, Devoto W, Zarow M, Jakubowicz N, Campelo-Parada F, Elbaz M, Carrié D, Roncalli J. Association between Dental and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review. Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2023 Jun 6;24(6):159. doi: 10.31083/j.rcm2406159. PMID: 39077523; PMCID: PMC11264166. Link
Simpson TC, et al. Treatment of periodontitis for glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Apr 14;4(4):CD004714. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004714.pub4. PMID: 35420698; PMCID: PMC9009294. Link
Dioguardi M, et al.The Association between Tooth Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease: a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Case Control Studies. Dent J (Basel). 2019 May 1;7(2):49. doi: 10.3390/dj7020049. PMID: 31052367; PMCID: PMC6630622.. Link
