Dental Health and the Immune System: Are They Interconnected?

Do you want to strengthen your immune system? Taking good care of your teeth is one of the best methods to ensure that your immune system is functioning at its peak. Your immune system is put under more stress when your mouth isn’t healthy, whereas good oral hygiene will help it function better. Yes. Your general immune response is likely to be stronger and your body will be better able to fight off viruses and bacteria if you have a healthy mouth free from bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

You run the risk of having germs, inflammation, and illnesses like gum disease in your mouth if you have poor oral health. Why? Your immune system functions by producing a set number of immunity-fighting cells, such as white blood cells and antibodies. Your immune system won’t be able to battle illnesses elsewhere in your body if it is working hard to combat bacteria in your mouth. Your immune system will simply be less strong overall since it won’t be able to transmit as many immune cells to other areas of your body.

Thus, poor oral hygiene can make your immune system more vulnerable, according the to best dentist in Wayne NJ. How do you increase it? If you adhere to these easy instructions, your teeth and gums will remain sturdy and healthy, and your immune system won’t have to work as hard to maintain them. As a result, your immunological response will be stronger overall.

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  • Eat a balanced diet low in sugar and simple carbs because these foods are loved by the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Try to limit your intake of sweetened beverages and foods as well as items like potato chips and crackers that are high in refined carbohydrates.
  • Brush effectively – Be sure to brush for two minutes, at least twice daily. Brushing is best done in the morning when you first get up and at night before you go to sleep. Most microorganisms will be cleared from your mouth as a result.
  • Once daily flossing is recommended because it effectively cleans tooth surfaces that brushing alone cannot reach. Daily flossing is also an important component of a healthy at-home oral care regimen.
  • Include mouthwash in your oral hygiene regimen – An excellent complement to your oral hygiene practice is antibacterial mouthwash. When it’s impractical to clean your teeth, such as right after lunch, it can help destroy bacteria and keep your mouth healthy. However, it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for brushing or flossing. After flossing, we also advise using an antimicrobial mouthwash. This can help remove food particles that were loosened during flossing and eliminate bacteria that are still present in your mouth.
  • For normal dental cleanings, visit your dentist every six months. This will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy by removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your mouth.
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Making sure your teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy and that your immune system isn’t weakened by having to deal with oral health concerns on a regular basis is made possible by keeping up with regular dentist appointments and having a fantastic brushing and flossing regimen at home. It’s also important to note that many folks who don’t visit the dentist frequently aren’t aware they have gum disease. Problems with oral health might potentially result from minor health issues to more serious health complications. This includes diseases like :

  1. Common cold or the flu. Wherein your mouth serves as the bacteria’s route, doorway, or body map outside of it. When blood that has been contaminated by mouth bacteria enters your bloodstream, it spreads the bacteria throughout your body and causes your gums sensitive and bleeds. Together, periodontal disease and other infectious disorders can weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to illnesses like the flu and the common cold or virus.
  2. Pneumonia. According to studies, bacteria from your mouth can enter your lungs and cause pneumonia.
  3. Heart Problems. Untreated dental infections are thought to increase the risk of stroke and heart disease by almost three times, respectively! Both the blood vessels leading to your heart and the blood paths to your brain may become inflamed as a result of the inflammation.
  4. Diabetes. The mouth’s inflammation impairs the body’s capacity to regulate bloodsugar. Diabetes worsens complications because people with it have poor blood sugar processing and management.
  5. Osteoporosis. Bone loss can be brought on by osteoporosis as well as periodontitis (gum disease). In fact, according to some research, gum disease strikes women with osteoporosis more frequently than it does healthy women.
  6. Oral Cancer. Gum disease is three times more likely to affect smokers. This is because smoking makes the gums more susceptible to the risks of infection. Not to mention the possibility of oral cancer and tooth discoloration.
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Keep in mind that when you take care of your teeth, you’re protecting more than just your teeth from cavities; you’re also protecting your general health and appearance, especially teens with braces! You do not want to miss your Orthodontist appointment.

Make an appointment for a professional cleaning to elevate your dental care. Make an appointment with the dentist of your choice right away.