Everyone knows that good dental hygiene is important. Keep brushing your teeth, don’t stop flossing, and see your dentist for regular cleanings. Do these things and you’ll have a pretty smile and keep your own teeth for, ideally, your entire life. However, according to science, there’s some other big reasons to make oral health a priority. It shouldn’t surprise you that oral health is directly linked to healthy longevity!
Connected
What many of us don’t realize is that the mouth is connected to every other system in the body. Because of this, it can impact the lungs, heart, quality of sleep, inflammation levels, your ability to conceive, and also your susceptibility to dementia – just to name a few. Taking care of your mouth is key to a long and healthy life.
In this Mouth-Body Connection, the gums play an important role. When bacteria build up on teeth it makes gums prone to infection. At this point, the immune system attacks the infection, and the gums become inflamed. This inflammation continues until the infection can be brought under control.
Inflammation Leads To…
If this process continues over time, the gums and bone structure that hold the teeth in place become weakened, and the result is gum disease. This inflammation in the mouth also can create problems in the rest of the body. There is a strong relationship between periodontitis (gum disease) and the following diseases:
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Pregnancy
Osteoporosis
Obesity
Lung Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Perhaps the phrase should really be Mind-Body-Mouth connection. We should all be aware of the importance of oral hygiene and the role it can potentially play in our healthy longevity.
The Chiropractor-Dentist Connection
Another fact that might surprise you is that your dentist and chiropractor can work together to keep your mouth and body healthy. By keeping your spine and nervous system strong, your chiropractor can keep you free from any stress in the body that could lead to teeth grinding and nerve issues that could lead to tooth and/or jaw pain.
So, don’t stop flossing, make sure to do everything you can to maximize your 100 Year Lifestyle, and make every moment as healthy as possible on your journey to 100 and beyond. We call that living at 100% for 100 years…or more. Find a 100 Year Lifestyle provider near you today!
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