In honor of World Oral Health Day on March 20, we feel that it’s crucial for you to know the benefits of good oral health, especially the health benefits that are unexpected. Having good oral health is more important than most people think as your oral health affects a lot more than just your mouth. 

“The health of the teeth, the mouth, and the surrounding craniofacial (skull and face) structures is central to a person’s overall health and well-being,” according to HealthyPeople.gov. 

Here are some important and surprising benefits of taking care of your teeth, gums and mouth: 

• Healthy gums – Bacteria thrives in your mouth. There’s good bacteria that aids in digestion. Then there’s bad bacteria, which if not reduced can lead to infections and illnesses. Some oral infections include cavities, gingivitis (early gum disease), periodontal disease (receding of gums and pockets forming), and thrush (overgrowth of candida albicans). Keeping your gums healthy prevents and reduces these infections along with others such as canker sores and oral herpes. 

• Lowers risk of diabetes – What do oral health and diabetes have in common? Well, gum disease causes inflammation, which can lead to insulin resistance. When the human body is insulin resistant, it cannot use insulin properly. “We found that over two decades of follow-up, individuals who had periodontal disease were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life when compared to individuals without periodontal disease.” – Ryan T. Demmer, PhD, MPH, as told to Endocrinology. 

• Reduces risk for heart attack – “Gum disease increases risk for heart attack by nearly 50% according to a recent study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation,” as posted by The American College of Cardiology/CardioSmart. Bacteria in the mouth doesn’t always stay put. It can travel through the bloodstream and cause tiny arteries to become even more narrow, which can increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 50%. 

• Increases weight loss – Brushing your teeth and flossing usually means the end of eating, which helps you avoid overeating especially sweets and desserts. These foods, loaded with sugar, do damage not only on your oral health but your overall health and weight. And when your weight is at a healthy level, the risk of the following diseases are even lower: cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. 

• Decreases risk of cancer – Although researchers aren’t quite sure of the connection of gum disease and the risk of certain cancers, they do know that bacteria may boost the growth of cancer cells. This is especially true with pancreatic cancer as it has been found to be linked to gum disease. 

So now you know how important it is to keep your teeth and gums healthy: your oral health can contribute to other more serious health risks. Be sure to practice daily oral hygiene to keep your oral health in good condition. 

Also allow Coyote Dental to look into and take care of the deeper issues that you can’t see in the mirror, or handle on your own, such as professional dental cleaning, x-rays, finding and treating fillings and cavities, and much more.  

Our dentists at Coyote Dental have taken care of thousands of people to ensure that they have the best and most affordable care available. And we would be happy to guide you to exactly the right dentist for you. Your oral health is that important. Don’t neglect it!