Although stay-at-home orders are being lifted, the fight against the transmission of the novel Coronavirus is still underway. While social distancing and face coverings have played an instrumental role in preventing the virus from entering your eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring your immune system is in tip-top shape is the other half of the battle. Although a nutrient-rich diet, routine physical activity, and daily vitamins do wonders for your body, the condition of your oral health directly impacts your immune system as well. Therefore, a dentist is sharing three surprising ways your dental hygiene protects your overall health.
Proper Oral Care Can Protect Your Heart Health
Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are the crux of a proper oral hygiene routine. While these measures are a necessity for a strong, bright, healthy smile, they do more than just that! In fact, brushing and flossing dislodge stubborn bacteria and plaque that make their home on your teeth and gums. When left alone, these bacteria can multiply and make their way into your bloodstream. From there, they can spread to your heart and wreak havoc on your body. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you prioritize a consistent, thorough dental hygiene regimen for both your oral and overall health.
Routine Visits Treat Infections That Divert Your Immune System’s Attention
When there is an infection in your teeth or gums, your body sends infection-fighting cells through your bloodstream in an attempt to treat the area. However, this requires a tremendous amount of energy from your body and diverts your immune system’s attention from other areas that need help. In fact, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that bacteria that cause gingivitis (gum disease) “subverts the immune system.” To protect your immune system, especially during a pandemic, you must maintain your bi-yearly visits to the dentist for early detection and treatment of inflammation and infections.
Antimicrobial Mouthwash Kills 99.9% of Bacteria
Although no specific strains of mouthwash have been tested against COVID-19 currently, decades of research have proven that rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash effectively kills bacteria in your mouth. In fact, mouthwash has been shown to kill up to 99.9% of the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. While this may initially seem insignificant in the fight against the current pandemic, using mouthwash regularly adds another level of protection to your oral and overall health. That way, the other measures you are implementing (like face coverings and social distancing) are even more effective!
To protect yourself from contracting or transmitting COVID-19, extensive sanitation and infection-control measures must be set in place. By prioritizing your oral care routine, you can provide yourself with an additional layer of protection throughout this pandemic!
About the Practice
With 100+ years of dental experience under their belt and over 700 5-star reviews, the team at Generations Dental Care takes pride in crafting the beautiful, healthy smiles they are known for. With a hand-selected team and seven talented doctors on staff, each member of the office is united by their mission to deliver unparalleled service at their state-of-the-art practice. If you would like to speak with them about improving your oral health or scheduling your bi-yearly appointment, please visit their website or give them a call at 603-225-6331.