Dental hygiene is routine for most people but goes further than simply creating a better-smelling breath and whiter teeth; brushing your teeth prevents harmful bacteria from entering the bloodstream and causing problems that range from poor heart health to a reduction in sexual performance. If you needed another reason to brush your teeth, this is it; read on for details.
Heart Health
Most people don’t realize it, but dental hygiene is very closely related to heart health and other systems in the body. That’s because of the harmful bacteria that enter your bloodstream. When you don’t brush your teeth, bacteria starts to accumulate on the teeth and gums, eventually becoming plaque. This bacteria can enter the blood, causing a condition called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow.
Joint Health
When people experience joint pain, they don’t tend to think about their teeth and gums or their general dental hygiene; instead, they think about using pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the symptoms. However, dental hygiene also plays a role in the health of your joints.
The same bacteria that causes atherosclerosis in the heart also causes inflammation in the joints. Ask your medical professional about this if you have joint pain. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with taking anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the symptoms, but also have proper dental health.
Healthier Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of changes, patience, and self-care; it’s also a time for learning more about how your body functions and what health concerns you need to look out for. One thing you might learn from a medical advisor is the importance of a quality dentist to prevent bacteria.
When the body is pregnant, it is on guard against any harmful bacteria, such as the kind that comes from the teeth and gums. When detected, the body will attack the bacteria leading to higher incidences of premature births and lower weights in babies, so keep your teeth clean.
Better Sex
If you want better sex, brush your teeth and gums regularly, this gives you a fresh breath for your partner, but it also improves your sexual performance and pleasure. How so? Again, it’s related to bacteria in the blood; when there is less of it, more blood gets to the genital area.
If you are a person with a penis, you will notice an improvement in your ability to get and sustain an erection, and people with vulvas will have a pleasurable time, thanks to more blood flow to their erogenous area. Conversely, performance is diminished when you fail to brush your teeth.
Better Breathing
Brushing your teeth can also lead to better breathing and less chance of contracting a respiratory disease such as pneumonia or bronchitis. If you are a sporty person, brushing your teeth can improve your breathing marginally and give you an extra edge on the track or field.
Sophie Okolo, MPH 
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