Healthy mouths and healthy bodies are one in the same. Not only will proper oral care ensure a bright, white smile, good oral hygiene can improve your overall health. Improving your oral health can help reduce your risk of disease and has been linked to a stronger memory later in life.

Proper oral care during childhood years can really pay off during adulthood. Healthy brushing, flossing and rinsing habits, along with regular trips to the dentist can boost your overall health. Here are six ways teeth and gum care leads to a healthy mouth and body.

Increases Self-esteem and Confidence
The bad breath and discolored teeth that accompany gum disease and decaying teeth can limit your confidence and self-esteem. With healthy mouths come an increased quality of life. Individuals with healthy mouths are able to eat a broader diet, sleep better and experience less tooth pain and mouth infections.

Lowers Heart Disease Risk
Gum disease causes a chronic inflammation of the tissues surrounding the mouth. This inflammation has been associated with heart disease, blockages of blood vessels, strokes and other cardiovascular problems. While experts have not confirmed the link between gum disease and other health conditions, research indicates that maintaining oral health can improve overall health.

Preserves Memory
According to reports from the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, adults with gingivitis performed worse on memory and cognitive tests than those with healthy gums and mouth. Individuals with gingivitis scored lower on tests involving delayed verbal recall and subtraction.

Gingivitis causing bacteria can be reduced with antibacterial mouthwash and toothpaste.

Reduces Inflammation and Infection
Infection in other parts of the body has been linked to poor oral health. Specifically, research has indicated an association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the joints. Regular visits to the dentist, a balanced diet, brushing, flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash can all lower your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Many people with diabetes also have gum disease. Since diabetes weakens your ability to fight infection, it can increase your chances of developing severe gum problems, making it more challenging to manage blood sugar levels. For diabetics, proper oral health may help with blood sugar control.

Benefits Pregnant Women
Gingivitis increases during pregnancy. There has also been evidence of a correlation between gum disease and low birth weight, preterm babies.

Visit our Ooltewah dentist office to keep your smile bright and white and improve your overall health.

According to a 2015 study, 100 million bacteria can be removed from the mouth after 10 minutes of chewing sugar free gum. There are more benefits to chewing gum than just minty fresh breath. It can help various other aspects while you chew:

Oral Health
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help to clean teeth by rinsing off and neutralizing the acids left behind by plaque and bacteria. In addition to preserving tooth enamel, chewing sugar free gum stimulates saliva flow up to ten times the normal rate.

Xylitol, the artificial sweetener found in sugar free gums, prevents the growth of oral bacteria and cavities. The ingredient prevents bacteria from adhering to the tooth, stopping cavities from forming.

Cognitive Function
Not only does chewing gum help to strengthen teeth, but it has also been linked to improving cognitive function. The action increases blood flow to the brain and elevates the body’s glucose level which aids in fueling the mind.

Stress Relief
Chewing sugar free gum can also work to reduce stress. The rhythmic motion can relax the body, reducing tension and leaving you satisfied. It can also help to reduce nervous energy.

Aids Digestion
Digestive health can also be improved by chewing gum. It increases saliva flow which increases swallowing and prevents acid reflux.

Though chewing gum can be beneficial to your oral hygiene, it should not replace brushing or flossing.

Walking down the oral care aisle can seem a little over whelming. There are so many options when selecting a toothbrush. Soft, medium, hard bristles in different shapes and colors, then there is deciding between a manual or electric toothbrush. With countless options available, it can be difficult to choose what will provide the best cleaning.

Manual toothbrushes are effective in cleaning your teeth, but only when they are used correctly. Most people do not brush for the recommended 2 minutes or adequately brush each tooth. Electric toothbrushes are able to brush a larger surface area in the same period of time. This option is particularly appealing to older adults and those with limited dexterity. The American Dental Association states that people with limited mobility in their hands, arms and shoulders could benefit from the powered brush and larger handle.

Since electronic toothbrushes provide a better cleaning, users experience less plaque and gum disease than traditional toothbrush users. When brushing with a manual toothbrush you are able to brush approximately 300 strokes per minute. However, when brushing with an electronic toothbrush you are able to brush at a few thousand strokes per minute.

There are a variety of electronic toothbrushes on the market at a variety of price points. Disposable, battery operated options start around $6 and rechargeable electric versions can range from $40 to $200. Like traditional toothbrushes, brushes need to be replaced every 3 months. The bristles should be straight and firm to provide optimal cleaning. When selecting a toothbrush, be sure to look on the package for an American Dental Association seal, meaning the product is safe and effective.

No matter toothbrush you use, it is important that you brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Just as candy, sweets and sports drinks can increase your risk for tooth decay, so too can liquid medications. There are a variety of ingredients commonly found in cough drops and syrup medications that can leave you more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities, especially when the medicine is taken consistently over long periods of time.

To create a better taste, many medicines contain high fructose corn syrup and sucrose. These sugars can contribute to decay when bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars and attack the enamel of your teeth. The citric acid in these syrups can also break down the enamel on the teeth. The alcohol found in the syrups can also have a drying effect on the mouth. With less saliva to rinse the sugar and acids away, the more increased risk for decay.

With a few simple steps you can ensure that the cough and cold medicines that you are taking do more harm than good. There are several precautions you can take to ensure the sugars and acids of liquid medications don’t affect your teeth.

• Avoid taking liquid medicines before bedtime. Since there is a decrease saliva flow at night, the residue won’t wash away as quickly.

• After taking medication brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.

• Rinse your mouth well with water or chew sugar-free gum if you are not able to brush your teeth after taking liquid medicines.

• Calcium supplements and topical fluoride can help to preserve the health of your teeth.

• Take medicines with meals to help wash away the sugars and acids left behind from the syrup.

• Pill form medication is less harmful to your teeth than the liquid varieties.

With proper oral care and precautions, you can keep cavities, as well as colds away this winter.