Hopefully, you are already aware how important it is to brush your teeth every day — at least twice a day. And hopefully you know that flossing is an important step in the cleaning process, too.
But did you know that getting regular teeth cleaning is almost as important as those daily activities? It’s true! In fact, your dental health can be a window into your health overall.
Below, we’ll explain how regular teeth cleaning impacts your health.
What Can Regular Teeth Cleaning Do for Your Health?
Ideally, you are taught about the importance of oral health from childhood. However, many people still do not understand the importance of regular teeth cleaning from a qualified dentist. Here are a few things that a regular teeth cleaning will do for you — in addition to the host of oral benefits.
Avoid Infection
They may not seem linked, but when you get an infection, your mouth may have had something to do with it.
Some medications cut down on saliva production. Saliva is important because it helps to clean the mouth and neutralize bacteria. However, when your mouth is not in tip-top shape and you are not producing an adequate amount of saliva, you may encounter dental diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis.
These diseases can lower your body’s ability to fight off infection. In the same way, conditions like diabetes and HIV/AIDS can also lower the body’s resistance, making your oral care all the more important.
Your oral health may be able to reveal underlying issues — and upcoming obstacles — before the rest of your body. Catching things early and taking proper care of your mouth will help to avoid infection as much as possible.
Prevent Disease
As it turns out, having your teeth cleaned at a regular (usually 6-month) interval can even help to prevent diseases.
For example, did you realize that there’s a link between oral health and pneumonia? That’s right! A recent study found that people who never visit the dentist had almost twice the risk of developing pneumonia as those who did visit the dentist.
This is likely because regular dental visits help to reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the body, especially the mouth. Diseases like pneumonia are caused by inhaling a certain bacteria into the lungs. A regular cleaning helps to limit these potentially harmful chemicals from entering the body and causing illness.
Form Good Habits
Most of all, your habits will influence your life. If going to the dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings is one of those healthy habits, chances are you will form others.
Forming healthy habits is needed in order to take care of yourself. If you prioritize your dental health, you’ll likely prioritize the health of your body’s other systems, too. Eating right and exercising fits right into the practice of preventative dental visits.
See a Dentist Today!
We are here to help you prioritize your oral health! We provide an experience that is so pleasant, you’ll be excited for your biannual teeth cleaning.
Browse our site to learn more about the VIP service we provide to patients, and call us today to schedule your next cleaning.