Dental Health and Your Immune System

Coliseum Dental

Did you know oral health can significantly impact your overall health and well-being? According to a dentist in Midtown Manhattan, by maintaining good oral health, you can boost your immune system and ensure that you can defend yourself from common infections and diseases. How do your oral health and the immune system interact? Continue reading to know the answer.

How Is Your Immune System Affected by Dental Health

Bacteria

Bacteria are largely to blame for the issues that result from inadequate oral hygiene. Our mouth is the ideal place for bacteria to proliferate. It is warm and damp, and bacteria can access plenty of nutrients. Food residues left behind after not brushing or flossing allow germs to fester and increase in your gums. With this, there will be a lot of issues when bacterial growth is out of control.

Even though bacteria enter the body through the mouth, issues do not simply affect the tooth cavity. If left untreated, bacteria can potentially infect the circulation and respiratory system. Gingivitis, the most prevalent type of gum disease, is just a minor condition but can still affect your immune system. If not treated, it can trigger an immunological response when it enters the bloodstream, which could start a domino effect that results in numerous health issues.

Immune System

Actually, it’s fairly easy. Your immune system only has a finite number of immune cells to defend itself against viral and bacterial illnesses. It will become less effective and more susceptible to illness when your immune cells are overused and the process is overextended.

A significant contributing reason to this can be poor oral health. There are billions of microorganisms in your mouth. They will consume food particles, expel acid that rots your teeth, and try to infect your gums if left unchecked.

The gums will swell and inflame when oral germs try to infect them because the immune system rushes to defend you. Fewer immune cells are available to tackle various health issues and respond to viruses and bacteria throughout your body if your immune cells have to fight off bacteria in your mouth. It will, later on, result in a weakened immune response overall.

Keep Your Mouth Healthy to Maintain Good Overall Health

The threat of negative health impacts is reduced when you have a strong immune system that controls the germs in your mouth and the rest of your body. When your immune system works properly, it quickly removes microorganisms and guards against additional ailments.

Dental Cleanings

For tooth cleanings, you need to visit your dentist every six months. Cleanings and oral exams, which remove bacteria-filled plaque and tartar, enable dentists to monitor your oral health and advise you on better care of your teeth and gums.

Eat Less Sugar

Reducing your sugar intake will help keep your dental and overall health in its optimal state. A healthy diet should be low in sugar and carbohydrates and high in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean meats.

After meals, think about using mouthwash to eliminate oral bacteria and freshen your breath. Mouthwash is never an alternative for flossing and brushing, but it can help. With the right immunity, using it after meals can also help remove food particles that bacteria feed on and prevent mouth infections.

Brush and Floss

Your teeth must be properly brushed to maintain their health. Ideally, it would help if you brush twice a day – once after you get up and once before bed. This will get rid of the most bacteria possible. At any time, you can floss. Use the right method, be thorough, and clean the spaces between your teeth of plaque, bacteria, and food particles.