Megapolis Insurance

What do your heart and your teeth have in common?

Did you know that bad dental hygiene can lead to heart disease? An article in my local newspaper today explored the connection between hygiene and coronary health. The surprising connection is how heart disease is directly related to dental up keep.

In honor of February being Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s time to get your mouth in shape. Unless your family health insurance includes a good dental plan, you will want to pay attention. And let’s be honest a healthy mouth is good for your body and for your wallet, so you will want to pay attention anyway.

The article does state that taking really good care of your teeth will prevent any heart disease, but they suggest that those who have goo dental hygiene tend to be those who have a good overall health in general. Extra sugar (especially during the holidays. Candy hearts, anyone?) intake can lead to teeth decay and cavities, while also contributing to other diseases like diabetes. Bacteria in your mouth can also travel down your body into your lungs leading to pneumonia, especially in senior citizens.

Dental care is often not as viewed at as important as other health care. When you have a sharp pain in your side, you would run to the doctor. But with a sore tooth, many will pop an aspirin and try and live through the pain. Waiting to go to the dentist with a sore tooth can create bigger problems. A soft spot can turn into a cavity quickly. If a cavity is not taken care of, it can require a root canal. A root canal involves deadening the root before filling the cavity. This is a painful process.

Good dental hygiene is a habit formed from youth. While young children do not have the permanent teeth yet, it is important to start teaching them the right way to brush their teeth. Some companies market toothbrushes exactly to teach children how to brush. Some play music for the recommended length by dentists to brush your teeth. Others sell little hour glass timers for kids to use to brush long enough. However you choose to do it, the key is to be consistent. And feel confident enough to check on your kids’ progress to make sure the job is getting done. While the length of time is important, it is quality over quantity to really make it count.

Flossing is not just a supplemental part of oral hygiene. It is equally as important as brushing. A majority of cavities result from poor flossing habits. Floss gets in the nooks and crannies between your teeth, freeing food that has been wedged in there. If left alone, the food turns into bacteria and leads to cavities.

The other key to good oral hygiene is to brush often and well. Twice a day is the bare minimum. After every meal is ideal, especially if you have just ate or drank something sugary like a soda or candy.

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