Gums and Teeth
You’d be surprised, but one of the most neglected areas within our health are teeth and gums; did you know that many of the illnesses we acquire are directly linked to or derived from the gum areas. We may not have to go to the dentist every six months, but certainly doing the minimum which could be as little as brushing once in the morning and again in the evening could be a life saver!
Our goal with The Gums and Teeth Module, if you don’t already do so, is to entice you to create a plan to brush at least twice a day with prolonged sessions (yes, sessions), and avoid the dentist appointments that can lead to costly yet painful procedures. Also, a simple floss a day or so may be enough for some folks to keep the dentist away! Others take a greater emphasis with their teeth spending more than five minutes every session.
Better Wellness through our mouths
Like many folks I actually hated going to the dentist as I felt these appointments were a waste of time, unnecessary, intrusive, painful, and expensive! That thought process all changed the day I gained my first tooth fracture as a result of poor caring, plaque build up, and cavities; the barrage of issues landed me in several dentists meetings and in the process underwent through some really painful repairs of my rear teeth (molars). After the procedure I couldn’t not understand why my bad breath went away, and moments later I came to the conclusion that poor health doesn’t only revolve around the mind and body, but also our mouths; this realization occurred during my twenties in the early 90s; I deliberately setup semiannually check ups to ask questions and learn more about the effects of poor dental hygiene. Here’s what I’ve found through my interviews and questions with my dentist:
Our teeth play such a significant task in our lives as they teeth aid in chewing and digesting of food, they assist us with speaking and talking clearly; teeth also give us beaty and facial form. Seeing someone smile has its own attributes as opposed to another without teeth. The feeling of having to smile provides a sense of confidence, and impacts our active lives, relationships, and work.
Teeth aid in masticating, biting, grinding, and absorbing our food prior to swallowing it. I don’t avoid the dentist anymore, especially now that I know the consequences of poor dental hygiene. So, I visit my dentists on a regular basis; instead I tend to practice regular oral hygiene at home. However, it is our gums that play a much more vital role and must be kept healthy to keep our internal organs and other systems within our body healthy.
The essence of our Gums
Not on one occasion, but on several of my visits from when I resided in New York City to the days I lived in Upstate New York and until just over a couple of decades ago, I’ve been told by dentists that teeth are important to protect, but it’s the gums that really need the most focus; healthy gums aid in protecting your teeth from bacteria, and germs that can ultimately corrode the bone and cause tooth loss. The Gums assist with creating a barrier that keeps bacteria and other dangerous matter out. As you care of your gums, they can pay big dividends by acting as your first line of defense for keeping your body in overall good health. So, if your gums are the main line of defense in oral hygiene, what are the consequences of not taking care of your gums? It may not seem scary but, there are more dangers than you may think. Not taking care of your gums can lead to everything from minor issues, such as gingivitis, to major concerns with periodontitis disease; periodontitis disease causes permanent tooth loss and destroys the bones and tissues that make up the structure of your mouth. Dentists tell me that poor gum care can increase your risk for deadly diseases such as pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and liver cancer. I had enough concerns with my teeth, and the last thing I want to do is worry about my gums. So, I am sure to brush and floss on a regular basis.