Instead of killing yourself at the gym starting in January like many others, you can just change up your dental hygiene routine if you’re hoping to look and feel your best in 2021. Brushing and flossing properly cannot only give you an eye-catching smile, but research shows that it can protect your overall health as well! Your dentist in El Reno shares how this works below and offers easy tips that you can start using today.

The Mouth-Body Connection

An ever-growing mountain of research is revealing something that dentists have known for decades: the health of the mouth directly impacts the health of the entire body. How so? Not only is the mouth responsible for the first step in the digestion process, but it’s also a potential gateway for harmful bacteria.

Basically, any bacteria present in the mouth has the potential to enter the bloodstream and make its way throughout the body and cause damage to the internal organs. Researchers believe that this is why, in study after study, people with oral conditions like gum disease tend to have much higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease compared to the rest of the population.

How Dental Hygiene Can Help

Daily oral hygiene not only removes the plaque and food particles that can lead to cavities, but it also lowers the amount of dangerous oral bacteria, going a long way in stopping it from entering the body. And, thankfully, an effective routine isn’t that complicated. All you need to do is:

• Brush for two minutes in the morning and the evening
• Floss before you go to bed
• Rinse with a non-alcoholic mouthwash

It’s also important that everyone sees their dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. These routine visits allow your dentist to notice and treat problems before they can cause serious issues, plus they can help you refine your dental hygiene practices to better safeguard your oral and overall health.

Tips for Better Oral Hygiene in 2021

Here are a few ways you can make sure you take great care of your teeth (and body) in 2021:

• Set a timer when you brush so you go for the entire two minutes (many electric brushes have timers built into them).
• If you don’t floss regularly, start by doing it a few times a week, and work your way up to doing it every evening.
• Every day that you brush twice and floss once, make a mark on your calendar. Seeing a long row of checkmarks can be tremendously motivating! You can give yourself a little treat if you don’t miss a day for an entire week or month.

While exercising more usually starts to show results in two to three months, proper oral hygiene will offer you immediate benefits as well as long-term ones. You’ll feel more confident about your smile, enjoy fresher breath, and be effectively protecting your overall health so you have one less thing to worry about in 2021.

About the Author

Dr. Adam Cohlmia is a proud graduate of the OU College of Dentistry and has been practicing since 2011. At El Reno Family Dentistry, his mission is to provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages so local families can get everything they need right at home. He and his team emphasize preventive care in order to help people avoid dental and overall health issues so they can spend less time in our office and more simply enjoying their lives! To schedule your next checkup and cleaning, contact us today.