Effects of Oral Hygiene on Overall Health
While some health issues may show up in the mouth, the problems go both ways: Poor oral hygiene can lead to negative health outcomes. Some studies show there may even be a connection between poor oral health and worse brain health.
“What I wish physicians would talk to our patients about is the importance of regular dental visits,” said Ruchi Sahota, DDS, a general family dentist in Fremont, CA, and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. “Teeth don’t necessarily hurt until something big is going on. Going to the dentist regularly, brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, all of these things can contribute to greater overall health.”
A version of this article appeared on WebMD.com.