More Than a Smile: Connecting Oral Health & Overall Wellbeing

Everybody wants a gleaming, straight, and beautiful smile to show off to the world. However, did you know that a healthy set of pearly whites improves more than just your appearance? Since June is officially Oral Health month, now is a great time to learn about the connection between a well-cared for mouth and other important aspects of your life. Read on as your dentist near Greece explains how your oral health influences your physical and mental wellbeing.

Connecting Oral & Overall Health

It’s well known that overall health concerns can influence the health of the mouth. For example, diabetes can increase your risk of gum disease, osteoporosis can lead to tooth loss, and acid reflux can cause more cavities. However, researchers are discovering that this connection can go both ways. An unhealthy mouth has been linked to respiratory infections, birth complications, memory loss, and heart disease.

Health and dental experts believe that the bacteria and inflammation associated with oral health issues like gum disease and dental infections are the main culprits behind this link. Either can spread from the mouth throughout your body to harm other internal systems and lower your immune system.

How A Smile Impacts Your Mental Health

Not only does keeping your mouth clean lower your risk of systemic health issues, but it can improve your mental, social, and emotional wellbeing too! Taking good care of your teeth and gums means you’ll naturally start to smile more, which can lead to:

• Improved mood and self-confidence: Smiling triggers the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that foster feelings of happiness, confidence, and relaxation. The more you smile, the more often you’ll experience these pleasant sensations.
• Positive reactions from those around you: People instinctually respond to a smile with a grin of their own. This sets of their own chemical reaction in their brain to improve their mood.
• Boosted social perception: Numerous studies show that how much you smile can play a large part in your social perception. The data indicates that smiling can cause others to see you as more confident, relaxed, healthy, and approachable.

How to Keep Yourself & Your Smile Healthy

You can feel good about your smile by practicing a great dental routine. This June, try establishing some easy yet effective oral hygiene habits, like:

• Brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day.
• Using mouthwash and flossing between your teeth daily.
• Staying hydrated and limiting your sugar intake.
• Quitting bad habits like nail biting, opening packages with your teeth, and smoking.
• Seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.

If you’re not happy with the look or feel of your teeth or gums, it’s time to call your “dentist near me.” Remember, when you take care of your smile, your whole body will thank you!

About the Practice

Drs. Joseph and Katherine Vollo are proud to serve smiles of all ages in Rochester, NY and the surrounding communities. They offer everything from pediatric dentistry to dental services for seniors, and are always focused on prevention, early intervention, and preservation. Whether you are interested in a cosmetic treatment, in need of tooth repair, or would simply like a hand getting your oral health back on track, they are dedicated to helping you achieve a smile you can’t wait to show off. Feel free to contact them via their website or at (585) 225-9114.