Posted by “Brush your teeth for two minutes, at least twice a day.”
You must have heard this from your parents, teachers, and doctors more than a million times since childhood.
While it’s true that brushing teeth regularly ensures our dental health, is there something more than meets the eye?
Yes, there is. Regular brushing can protect your overall health more than you can ever imagine.
Read the blog post to know the benefits of regular brushing for your teeth.
1. Reduces the risk for cardiovascular diseases
Poor oral hygiene is linked to several heart conditions. When oral bacteria enter the bloodstream it can cause plaque to build up around the arterial lining. That results in atherosclerosis. Over time, it can harden arteries and limit the flow of oxygenated blood to heart muscles.
Apart from that, oral bacteria can also cause endocarditis, which is typically caused by bacterial or fungal infections, as well as other cardiovascular diseases. The first and foremost way to reduce the risks of heart disease is to brush your teeth regularly and take good care of dental hygiene.
2. Diminishes inflammation in the entire body
Did you know that the oral microbiome can cause inflammation in your body? Oral bacteria not only affect teeth and gums but can cause inflammation in the entire body. Several studies and research papers corroborate that.
When the bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream, they can cause inflammation in blood vessels and the heart. As the inflammation becomes more acute, it can considerably affect oral health, resulting in a vicious cycle. Good dental hygiene and regular brushing prevent oral bacteria from entering the body and reduce the inflammation risks.
3. Minimizes respiratory infections and complications
There is a clear connection between respiratory health and dental hygiene. Many recent studies found that irregular brushing and oral habits can lead to the multiplication of harmful bacteria and respiratory pathogens on gums and teeth. When the bacteria and microbes enter the lungs during respiration, they can cause several respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Aside from that, poor dental hygiene can cause tooth and periodontal bone loss as well as obstructive pulmonary complications such as sleep apnea. With good oral hygiene, the bacteria and pathogens in the mouth can be neutralized before they spread to the lungs or cause any tooth or bone loss.
4. Decreases risks for many types of cancers
Did you know that oral bacteria are host to one of the most malignant carcinogens? The seemingly harmless bacteria contain oral squamous cell carcinoma that can cause many types of cancer, including oral and blood cancer. Apart from producing carcinogens, oral pathogens also cause chronic inflammation as well as promote cellular invasion and multiplication. All these become an extremely dangerous combination.
As the mouth is one of the major entrants for carcinogens, keeping it clean is the most effective way to reduce the risks for the majority of types of cancer.
5. Reduces diabetes complications
Did you know that diseased teeth and gums can cause extreme fluctuations in blood glucose levels? In the case of advanced periodontal diseases, the blood sugar increases which makes it exceedingly difficult to control diabetes. Poor oral hygiene can be a breeding ground for some bacteria such as Aureus, Candida spp., and E. coli, which are directly associated with diabetes.
Apart from that, the presence of oral bacteria in the digestive system is also believed to increase blood glucose levels. Regular brushing of teeth can reduce diabetes complications to a large extent.
6. Safeguards brain cells
Many studies have found a connection between oral hygiene and brain health. One of the most shocking facts about oral bacteria and plaque buildup is that they release harmful substances to the brain that kill brain cells. Another finding suggests teeth and gums diseases can affect cognitive functions as well as the ability to memorize and learn. Not brushing teeth regularly can increase the risks of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
7. Lowers kidney disease risks
The link between oral bacteria and high blood pressure can’t be understated. It’s a known fact that the latter, also known as hypertension, is one of the leading causes of many types of chronic diseases including renal failure. Apart from causing chronic kidney disease, oral bacteria can raise the risk of death in people who are afflicted with the condition. Taking good care of teeth and mouth can decrease the risks of kidney diseases.
8. Enhances fertility and sexual health
Regular brushing can enhance sexual health and fertility in both males and females. In men, it reduces the inflammation of blood vessels and allows sustained blood flow to the genitals. In women, it eliminates the negative effect of oral bacteria on estrogen and progesterone.
9. Reduces pregnancy complications
Regular brushing of teeth does indeed reduce the risks of pregnancy complications and premature labor. Teeth and gum diseases have been associated with pregnancy risks such as premature deliveries and low birth weights for a long time. Now, many scientific studies are corroborating that.
Several studies have found that when oral bacteria compromise the immune system of expectant women it increases the risks of pregnancy and complications. Apart from that, researchers have also found that poor oral hygiene in pregnancy can also cause pregnancy tumors, pregnancy granuloma, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), gingivitis, and many other health conditions.
10. Reduces risks of osteoporosis
As per a recent study in humans, a substantial amount of oral bacteria can trigger some specific immune effector cells that can lead to a severe form of bone loss and brittleness, also known as osteoporosis. Regular brushing eliminates oral bacteria and makes the jaw bone stronger and healthier.
All in all,
We all know brushing teeth regularly can protect oral hygiene. It eliminates bad breath, gum problems, premature tooth loss, bacterial damage, and oral hypoxemia. But it also does more than that. If proper care for dental health is taken, then it can protect overall health.