Being and staying healthy has never been more in vogue. We go to the gym – we take multivitamins and supplements, all in the pursuit of staying healthy and preventing serious health issues. One of the cornerstones of good health is good oral hygiene and dental habits can help prevent some serious health issues.

The benefit of good oral care is two-fold. Not only do you prevent mouth and gum disease like plaque and gingivitis, but you are also preventing more serious health concerns. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Dental care helps prevent bacteria from entering into your bloodstream. Plaque and bacteria build up in the bloodstream can lead to clogged arteries, which in turn, can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Gingivitis affects your gums and can make it hard for you to want to smile… and everyone should love their smile. Worse still, the inflammation and bacteria that are synonymous with gingivitis can enter your nerve channels or bloodstream and in turn the brain. If left neglected and untreated, your smile is not the only thing that will fade. Those who suffer from prolonged periods of gum disease have shown higher rates of dementia.

Because our mouths are the point of entry for most things that enter our bodies, germs and unhealthy bacteria have more opportunities to cause health problems. Imagine if you will a neglected set of gums and teeth and the microorganisms that you are breathing in without even realizing it. By breathing these in you open yourself up to potential respiratory infections such as pneumonia. If you suffer from asthma you may be more susceptible to fungal infections such as thrush due to poor dental hygiene and the way that affects your asthma medications. Check with your dentist and doctor for more information.

It is important to remember that while good dental habits are hard to form they are important for your overall health. Oral hygiene is one of the easiest ways to avoid serious health risks in the future. Start today, it is easy. Simply brush, floss, and consult with your dentist on proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Staying with it can be hard at first because there will be some discomfort involved, but stick with it! You will find that once you have formed good habits your mouth will feel better your smile will shine brighter and you might even find that you’re having fun with your dental hygiene.