What is oral hygiene?
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and disease-free. It involves brushing and flossing your teeth as well as visiting your dentist regularly for dental X-rays, exams and cleanings.
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Why is oral hygiene important?
Oral hygiene is preventative care. This means you can stop oral health problems — such as cavities, gum disease, bad breath (halitosis) and other issues — before they start by taking good care of your teeth and gums.
Oral health is also linked to whole-body health. For example, if an infection is present in your mouth, your bloodstream can carry the bacteria to other areas of your body, leading to other health concerns like heart disease and stroke. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is an important part of long-lasting overall health.
What conditions are linked to oral health?
Research shows that gingivitis and periodontitis can contribute to certain health conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Stroke.
- Endocarditis (infection of your heart’s inner lining).
- Pneumonia.
- Pregnancy complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight.
Conversely, there are certain health conditions that can have a negative impact on your teeth and gums, including:
If you or a loved one has any of the conditions listed above, ask your dentist how to promote and support overall health through proper oral hygiene.
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What are the signs of poor oral hygiene?
There are several warning signs that could indicate oral health problems. The most common signs of poor oral hygiene include:
- Bleeding gums.
- Tooth decay.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Loose teeth.
- Gum recession.
- Mouth sores that don’t go away.
- Toothache.
- Swelling of the jaw.
- Gingivostomatitis, an infection of the mouth caused by certain bacteria or viruses.
