Investments are important for so many areas of life. For example, we pay car insurance fees now to avoid a large expense in the case of an accident in the future. Why not think of your teeth and gums in the same way?
By investing in the health of your mouth right now in the form of regular visits to the dentist, you can prevent major oral health and related physical problems and save yourself money in the long run.
When you’re obese, your body produces cytokines, which are proteins related to inflammation. Researchers say that this may decrease blood flow to gum tissue or damage it, which can lead to gum disease. Gum disease also produces cytokines, adding to the amount already in the blood. This can continue to cause more inflammatory diseases in other areas throughout the body. Seeing your dentist for regular checkups can help catch and treat gum disease in the early stages.
Adding mouthwash to your oral care routine can significantly reduce plaque and gingivitis. This is because mouthwash can reach almost 100 percent of the surfaces in the mouth, while brushing only reaches about 25 percent.
The study showed that subjects who used mouthwash twice a day saw a 26.3 percent reduction in plaque, compared to those who only brushed. There was also a 20.4 percent reduction in the occurrence of gingivitis.
Do you think your chance of having gum disease is small? According to numbers from a new study, it’s not.
About 47 percent of those over 30 are afflicted, according to data from a sample representative of the national population. Out of this 47 percent, 9 percent of the cases were mild, 30 were moderate, and 8.5 were severe.
Studies have also found links between gum disease and other conditions, including heart disease and dementia. Researchers who followed 5,500 adults for 18 years found that those who only brushed less than once a day were 65 percent more likely to develop dementia.
The health of your mouth is tied to overall well-being. Decrease your chance of gum disease by brushing and keeping up with regular dental exams.
FYI: Gum disease can effect anyone at any time.
Bacterial plaque is the main cause of gum disease. There are many other contributing factors that can affect even those with immaculate home care.
Take the Gum Disease Risk Assessment Quiz from the American Academy of Periodontology and find out quickly what your risk level is for gum disease. Keep in mind though even if you rate at low risk, only a licensed dentist can tell you for sure if you have gum disease.