3 Surprising Reasons Good Oral Hygiene Really Matters

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Taking care of your teeth is hugely important - from physical to mental health, our smiles have a huge impact on the rest of our health that you may not ever have realized. Delaying or avoiding dental treatment because of perceived cost or fear can be a real issue, but all it means is storing up problems for further down the line. Good oral care has so many benefits, and it's up to you to make sure you get regular appointments with the dentist and hygienist and look after your teeth at home in between with flossing, regular brushing your teeth in the right way and mouthwash. If you neglect your teeth it can be very difficult to come back once decay sets in. We need to take steps to safeguard our oral hygiene, pass the message on to kids by teaching them great habits and if we care for our elders, making sure their teeth are looked after too. Here's why you should care about keeping a bright smile. 

Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

The impact of not looking after our teeth and perhaps developing serious issues. We could then find ourselves in need of a Dentist, Dental Implants, Dentistry to correct smiles that are discoloured or perhaps missing teeth. Then we don't smile out of embarrassment, and this can have a huge impact on our relationships with others and how we interact with the world. When we smile, it sends a signal to our brain that all is well and helps to release serotonin, the happy hormone that regulates our mood. A world without smiles can really alter how we feel and the perceptions that others have of us. And that can impact our lives in more ways than you may first think! Literally our whole experience of the world can be affected if we don't smile because of bad teeth. 

A Healthier Heart 

We are beginning to understand more about the importance of good oral hygiene in maintaining heart health as well. Inflammation and disease of the gums leads to a higher risk of heart disease, so it's very important to move flossing further up your daily agenda, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Similarly, there are also links to the development of diabetes, as gum disease affects blood glucose. With diagnoses of diabetes on the rise, it really is time to take care of your teeth. 

Better Weight Loss Results 

If you need to lose a few pounds, or are trying to maintain a healthy body weight and change your relationship with food, then a clean mouth is another key to success. Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash can help with portion control, because when we brush it sends a signal to our brains that we have finished eating. You can use this trick by brushing and flossing straight after a small healthy meal, to stop yourself from eating seconds or indulging in a sugary dessert. Carry a small travel toothbrush and paste, Insta Floss or a compact bottle of mouthwash with you and you can practice this trick and have fresh breath all the time. 

*contributed post*