There is a significant relationship between a person’s oral health and overall health. It is therefore pivotal to give your mouth the attention that it deserves in order to ensure a good health.
The mouth is known as the dirtiest part of the human body and this is largely due to it being the entry-point for many bacteria. In order to keep the bacteria from spreading through your body, proper oral hygiene through brushing, flossing and mouth rinsing is essential.
The Family Dental Care Group (FDCG) strives to educate the public about the role oral health plays in some systemic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and oral health complications during pregnancy.
To keep your teeth, gums and body healthy, FDCG recommends the following:
• Provide your dentist with a complete health history, including any illnesses and medication use. • Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. • Floss daily to help remove plaque • Visit your dentist regularly for a checkup and professional cleaning to help prevent any problems and detect possible problems in their early stages. The mouth is often the location used to diagnose a variety of diseases. • Eat a well-balanced diet, which will help you maintain a healthier immune system, help prevent heart disease and slow diabetes disease progression. • If you smoke, talk to your dentist about options for quitting.
“A clean mouth will lead to a clean body,” says Dr Dineshen Govender (Principal Dentist at Family Dental Care). “Although you clean your mouth every day at home, regular checkups at the dentist will prevent additional disease that can likely make you sick.”
Visit www.familydentalcare.co.za for an appointment or for more information.