Proper oral care is so important, yet it’s something that gets overlooked. Consider this, 13.2%of adults 65 or older have lost all of their teeth. Almost half of children aged 19 or younger have lost at least one tooth to decay, and 13.2% have untreated cavities.  Worse, 35.5% of adults haven’t had a dental exam or cleaning in the past year.

Your mouth is filled with bacteria, which play a big part in your overall health. There’s more to dental exams and cleanings than healthy teeth and gums. If you’re skipping routine dental care, there’s a lot more at risk. Gum disease and cavities are just a small part of the value of a healthy mouth.

The Link Between Poor Oral Health and Your Health

Poor oral health is linked to tooth decay and gum disease, but there’s more to it than that. It’s been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and several other health conditions.

When you have a cavity that isn’t taken care of, it can make it painful to eat. You start limiting your choices to soft foods and that can lead to nutritional imbalances. 

Another problem with an untreated cavity is that it can become infected. That infection can spread into your jawbone, face, and neck. In rare cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart and brain.

Gum disease is another high-risk with poor dental care. If gum disease becomes severe, it will damage the jawbone, and teeth can loosen and fall out. Infection is a risk, but without teeth, it will impact what foods you can eat. 

Periodontitis (gum disease) occurs when plaque builds up around the teeth and hardens. Typically, plaque that isn’t removed through normal tooth brushing is removed during a dental cleaning. If a person doesn’t go for cleanings, that plaque can irritate the gums and cause inflammation that leads to bleeding and infection.

Inflammation from gum disease can impact health throughout your body. Gum disease has been tied to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. On a lesser level, some studies find an increased risk between dementia and one type of bacteria found in the mouth. 

Researchers have also found links between severe gum disease in women with premature labor and low birth weight. Women are also at a higher risk of dental issues during pregnancy because of the pregnancy hormones that impact bone health. Teeth may temporarily loosen, but it’s not likely that a tooth will fall out. It’s just important to make sure you go to your dentist to watch for gingivitis while the teeth are a little more pliable.

Severe gum disease has also been tied to depression. One study looked at over 62,000 patients and those with gum disease had a 2x greater chance of being diagnosed with depression than those with healthy gums.

There’s one more thing to consider with poor oral health. When you go for routine cleanings, a mouth cancer screening takes place. Caught early, oral cancer is treatable. When it isn’t caught until the late stages, it’s a harder battle. Five-year survival rates are 94% if the cancer is caught in the early stages. It drops to 63% and 38% as it progresses to “regional” and “distant.”

The Steps to Healthy Oral Care Habits

It’s estimated that more than 700 species of bacteria live in the mouth, including the teeth and soft tissue. These microorganisms thrive in saliva’s pH and moisture level. Saliva also becomes important as it’s what helps flush away the sugars in foods you eat that feed the bacteria. 

Keeping those bacteria under control is important when it comes to avoiding cavities and damage to the gums. For that reason, you need to maintain healthy oral care routines. Make sure you’re doing the following.

Brush Twice a Day

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Ask your dentist for recommendations if needed. If you have weak enamel, a toothpaste that helps strengthen the enamel is ideal. If you have dry mouth, a toothpaste designed for dry mouth is best. 

When you brush your teeth, set a timer for two minutes and make sure you spend 30 seconds brushing each quadrant on the back, front, and top of the teeth. A rechargeable toothbrush often has a timer built in. It will buzz when you need to move to the next quadrant and then alert you when you’ve reached two minutes.

Floss Daily

Floss between your teeth once a day. If you’ve eaten and feel something stuck, floss as soon as you can. You might want to get a water flosser in addition to regular floss. You could use the water flosser and follow it later with dental floss.

Limit Sugary Treats

Eat sugary treats in moderation. Make sure you’re aware that some of the healthier snack options like trail mix often have dried fruit that sticks in crevices in the teeth. Try to focus on snacks that aren’t as sugary, such as cucumber and celery sticks or a handful of roasted almonds.

Drink Water All Day, But Especially After Meals and Snacks

If you like soda, it’s a good time to start cutting back. Sugary soda is damaging to your teeth and your overall health. Drink water instead. If you hate the taste of water, there are unsweetened drops that add flavor without the sugar.

After a meal or snack, drink water to help rinse food particles away. It’s especially helpful if you have dry mouth and don’t produce as much saliva as you used to.

See a Dentist Twice a Year for a Cleaning and Exam

When you go for your cleaning and exam every six months, be honest with your dentist. If your doctor prescribes a new medicine, make sure your dentist knows it. Some medications and chronic health issues can cause side effects like dry mouth. 

Dry mouth increases the risk of gum disease because it limits saliva production. Without enough saliva, the natural sugars in the foods you eat cling to the teeth and bacteria multiply and don’t get washed away.

If you’re experiencing any problems such as tooth pain, tell your dentist. It’s better to catch potential issues in the early stages than to wait until there’s a lot of damage. It’s often more affordable to pay for a cavity when it’s just starting to form than when it has impacted the root and caused an abscess.

Are you looking for a Nashville dentist who works with you to ensure you’re comfortable during your visit? Dr. Jody Jones specializes in the anxiety that keeps people from seeing a dentist. Schedule an appointment online or call the office to arrange a dental cleaning and exam.