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October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and it’s a timely reminder for all of us to keep up with good dental hygiene. Let’s brush up on why oral health is so important to our overall health and lives!
Our teeth play such an important role in our lives; they’re there for us when we talk, laugh, chew, and eat. They complete our face shape by supporting our facial structures, and nearly 50% of American adults think that a smile is the most memorable feature after first meeting someone. In fact, studies have shown that an attractive smile has the greatest impact on first impressions in work or social settings. Having confidence in your smile can give you greater confidence of self, as well as positively influence your social life, career, and relationships.
Besides their influence on our professional and social lives, the condition of our teeth and gums can also have far-reaching effects on our physical health. Gum disease affects half of all American adults and has strong links to serious health conditions such as heart and lung disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and more. When a person has gum disease, bacteria and toxins from the mouth can travel into the bloodstream and wreak havoc on the heart and other major internal organs. The good news? Gum disease is nearly always caused by poor oral hygiene, which means it is nearly entirely preventable - just be sure to keep up with proper daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dentist visits!
So in honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, consider all the ways a healthy - or unhealthy - mouth can affect our lives, and practice good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing daily! Use the hashtag #DentalHygieneMonth to show off your dazzling, healthy smile!