Dental hygiene and the flu

I received this great article that illustrates the importance of dental hygiene to prevent the flu and the spread of disease. We all know that brushing your teeth is important for your teeth but in fact good dental hygiene is important to your health, especially now that it is flu season.

Of the hundreds of stories that were written last year offering counsel on how to avoid illness, how many did you read that suggested taking plenty of Vitamin C, washing your hands regularly and getting plenty of rest? How many stories told you that proper diet and exercise could boost your immunity? Finally, how many stories told you that your bleeding gums and spotty brushing habits could be making you sick? If the mouth is the gateway to the body, why does no one remind you to increase security?

Dirty mouth?
According to The American Academy of Periodontology, there are more than 300 species of bacteria in your mouth. Gingivitis, symptoms of which include inflamed gums and tenderness, arise as a result of poor oral hygiene can spread to other parts of the body. This can wreak havoc on the immune system. Since the mouth is a gateway for germs, reducing inflammation that exists in the mouth can reduce the chance that germs entering the system will take root and cause an infection. Also, an increased amount of bacteria in your mouth (caused by extended periods without brushing your teeth) can act as a breeding ground for flu viruses.

Take your breath away. Not only is the mouth a gateway for germs, but infections occurring in the mouth, like periodontal disease are associated with an elevated risk of respiratory infection. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, Scientists have found that bacteria that grow in the oral cavity can be drawn into the lung to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease. This discovery leads researchers to believe that these respiratory bacteria can travel from the oral cavity into the lungs to cause infection.

So, how can you protect your mouth?
Not only should you seek regular professional care, but you should brush for at least two minutes twice daily with a focus on brushing above the gumline to stimulate blood flow to the gums and keep them healthy. An electric toothbrush like the Oral-B Vitality is proven to reduce up to two times more plaque than a regular manual brush and provides a deep, more thorough cleaning. Also, make sure to choose a toothpaste that will protect your whole mouth like Crest Pro-Health it’s the only toothpaste that is ADA-approved to protect against plaque, tartar, cavities, gingivitis, sensitivity, bad breath and stains. Crest Pro-Health’s proprietary formula has been shown to reduce more germs over 24 hours than other toothpastes. This is a simple switch that allows you to take better care of your teeth and gums (and therefore your whole body) without exerting extra effort.

Don’t forget about your toothbrush.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Even after being rinsed visibly clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms.” Your toothbrush comes in contact with more than toothpaste and water. In fact, saliva and blood can stay on your toothbrush after you’re finished brushing. Be sure to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly and allow it to dry upright. As a general rule, you should replace your toothbrush every three months. However, if you do come down with a cold or flu, be sure to replace your toothbrush as soon as you recover. The germs that made you sick could still be living on your brush and could potentially re-infect you.