Without proper dental care, such as brushing and flossing, your gums can become infected with bacteria. Your body’s response to the bacteria causes swelling in the gums and bleeding along with progressively worse symptoms of periodontal disease.

Taking care of your mouth not only helps peoples first impressions with your smile, keeping bad breath under control, as well as keeping away infections, it has also been related to the following health issues:

• Respiratory Disease – Doctors have discovered that some of the bad bacteria from gum infections can get into your lungs in which can cause any current lung issues to get worse. Also the bacteria has the possibility to cause Pneumonia or several other sever lung diseases.

• Birth Defects – The inflammation and infections associated with sever gum diseases have been linked with the babies development, body weight, as well as premature deliveries.

• Cardiovascular Disease/Stroke – The bad bacteria and infections from your mouth can get into your bloodstream. The inflammation in your blood vessels leads to higher blood pressure causing a strain on your heart, or the bacteria in your blood stream can directly impact your heart. It is also believed that the plaque in your blood vessels can break off and head to your brain or heart.

• Diabetes – A person with diabetes has a higher chance of getting gum infections and diseases. Another issue with diabetics that have periodontal disease is the ability to control your blood sugar.

Good oral hygiene not only helps the health of your mouth but the health of your whole body. Proper brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings from your dentist will keep that beautiful smile shinning as well as help your whole body stay healthier!

The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums.

Ingredient and nutritional labels can be you and your teeth’s best friends. When plaque comes into contact with sugar tooth decay occurs, which is one of the most chronic childhood diseases. The good news is that with a little bit of reading one can reduce the amount of damage caused by sugars or even prevent it completely!

The well known contributors of sugar such as candy and soda can be avoided completely or the affects lessened by making better choices. Here is where a bit of reading can help you immensely. Food labels and other places of information such as Choose My Plate provide valuable health information. Not only pertaining to sugars but to establish a healthy diet to help keep the tissue in your mouth stronger against infections.

Good oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and consistent cleanings with your dentist will help keep you and your mouth feeling great! By utilizing your six month cleanings, your dentist will be able to catch issues early on!

To properly brush your teeth, it should take at least two minutes! You could use something as simple as a watch or your phone to make sure you go the full amount of time needed. For children you could create a “playtime” out of brushing their teeth to make it a fun activity and something that that will enjoy to do.

Proper Brushing

Pay attention to your gum line, hard to reach teeth and any restorative areas such as crowns and fillings. A good pattern to follow would be to spend equal amount of time with gentle, short strokes in sections such as:

• Clean the outside of your teeth, both lower and upper.
• Clean the insides of your teeth, both lower and upper.
• Clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, both lower and upper.
• Also be sure to brush the top of your mouth, gum line, and tongue.

Tooth Brush and Paste

Each individual is different in their needs when it comes to what type of toothbrush and toothpaste to use. Speak with your Dentist or Dental Hygienist to find out which that would be best for you to use!