Do Your Smile (and Body) A World of Good with Oral Hygiene Care

Maintaining optimal health goes beyond your mouth. Good oral hygiene keeps cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease away from your mouth, but it doesn’t stop there. The ties between a healthy mouth and the rest of your body go deep. Maintaining good oral health is linked to a healthy cardiovascular system; what you consume through your mouth can impact your overall body weight. Additionally, the state of your joints can also be reflected in your oral health.

Good oral hygiene beautifies your smile and keeps your body safe. But what does keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top condition take? Taking care of your smile is easy, but you must do it for life. Even with all the advancements in the dental field, oral care boils down to the basics. Earl E. Gaball, DDS in Battle Creek, Michigan, shares tips for keeping your mouth in great shape.

• Brushing and flossing your teeth: You should brush twice daily and floss daily. Brush your teeth in the morning and before going to bed, and floss preferably just before bedtime
• Eat healthy foods: What goes through your mouth affects your teeth and overall body. Limit intake of sugary foods like candy, chocolate, and soda. Consider calcium-rich foods, veggies, and nuts to strengthen your teeth. Remember to keep your mouth hydrated. Every day, at all times, maintain a healthy diet — your waistline will thank you for it, and so will your smile
• Ditch poor oral habits: Quit smoking to avoid staining your teeth and putting your smile at risk of periodontal disease and oral cancer. Avoid biting hard substances to prevent chipping or fracturing your teeth. If you suffer from chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), consider a custom night guard to protect your smile from dental damage
• Dental appointments: Semiannual dental appointments are critical in removing built-in plaque and tartar and stopping oral problems before they become more severe and costly

Do you want a healthy, beautiful smile? Dr. Earl Gaball and the team are here to help you. 

If you are in Battle Creek, MI, and its environs, please schedule a dental consultation with our practice by calling (269) 883-1674.