How Good Oral Health Encourages a Strong Immune System

There is a range of ways to increase immune system protection, such as minimizing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Though these are all excellent ways to keep your body functioning as intended, did you know that having a healthy smile can also affect your ability to fight off diseases? Read on to learn about the link between good oral health and a strong immune system.

How Your Oral Health Affects Your Immune System

By now, you probably know that foods and drinks like soda and candy contain a lot of sugar, which is bad for your smile. But did you know that bread, crackers, and other starchy and carb-heavy foods break down into sugar in your mouth? When you eat these foods, the bacteria in your mouth feed on them and release acids that attack your tooth enamel, which raises your risk of developing cavities.

Leaving plaque, bacteria, and food particles in your mouth also gives bacteria a chance to enter the gums and cause an infection called periodontal (gum) disease. If left untreated, the bacteria that cause gum disease will begin to manipulate your body’s immune system, which leads to the processes that would otherwise get rid of it being disabled. Additionally, since your body will be focusing its efforts on fighting off bacteria in the mouth, your immune system will be weakened and your chances of developing infections in other parts of the body will go up.

4 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Smile and Immune System

Fortunately, there are several ways that you can keep your smile and immune system healthy. For example, use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth twice per day for two minutes. You should also floss at least once per day, preferably after your last meal or before you go to bed, to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth. Other ways to care for your smile and overall health include:

• Visit your dentist – Biannual visits to your dentist will allow you to have your teeth thoroughly cleaned and are key to early detection of oral health issues like gum disease.
• Eat well – Cut back on sweet, high-carb, and acidic foods and drinks. Increase your intake of things that are good for your smile, such as lean meat, fish, low-fat or fat-free dairy, and fresh fruits and veggies.
• Cut out bad habits – Smoking makes you 10 times more likely to develop oral cancer and at least twice as likely to develop gum disease as non-smokers. Additionally, both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dry mouth, which makes you more likely to develop cavities and gum disease. Speak with your dentist, doctor, or therapist if you need help cutting these bad habits out of your life.
• Get plenty of sleep – Getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night will help keep your immune system strong.

As you can see, having a healthy smile affects more than just your oral health. By caring for your pearly whites the right way, you can keep your whole body healthy and at its best!

About the Author

Could your oral health use some work? Region Dental’s talented La Porte team can help. They offer a range of oral health services, such as checkups, cleanings, and gum disease therapy, to help you maintain a gorgeous grin and a strong immune system. Are you ready to make an appointment with Region Dental or are you interested in learning more about their services? If so, call their office at (219) 362-8980 or visit their website.