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The holiday season is over for most of us!
And during the holidays we generally increase our consumption of sugary sweet treats to nibble on and to drink.
This is why today’s article is so important. In fact, it’s especially important for those with a sweet tooth.
Your teeth and overall health are depending on it.
| We all know brushing our teeth is important…It helps keep our teeth clean, our breath fresh and our mouth free of cavities.But did you know there’s a very clear link between the state of your teeth… and the rest of your body?It’s true! Your dental health can provide a very clear picture to how the rest of your body is doing.For example, a fairly recent study published in the British Medical Journal, conducted a health survey on 11,000 adults. Researchers then analysed the data and found a clear link between poor dental care and heart disease.
In fact, those who reported brushing less were at a 70 percent INCREASED risk of developing heart disease. This is because the bacteria and inflammation in the mouth and gums, if not taken care of properly, can seep into your bloodstream – ultimately affecting your heart and arteries. Here’s another interesting find… Researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health followed over 9,000 non diabetic participants. The study lasted 20 years. The result? People with greater levels of periodontal disease had double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with no gum infections. The researchers weren’t clear on why this direct link exists, but the data is too strong to ignore. And it doesn’t end there… Yet ANOTHER study published in the Journal of Periodontology found a link between poor dental health and your lungs! As it turns out, people with poor periodontal health are more likely to suffer from a respiratory illness like pneumonia, COPD, an upper respiratory infection or acute bronchitis. Again, all these things seem to trace back to the bacteria and inflammation that can come with poor dental care. Fortunately, the solution is pretty simple. Take care of those “pearly whites!” Brush your teeth after each meal, whenever possible. Floss at least once a day. Make sure you get a proper dental cleaning at least twice a year. Finally, lay off all those excess sugary treats, especially now that holiday season is over. Do this, and you’ll be taking care of two things at once – your teeth AND your body’s overall health! Yours in health, Dirk |