Philly Dentistry: 5 Actions You Can Take Today

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Have you been looking for ways to focus on good health and self-improvement? The good news is that there’s another way to get healthy, and it doesn’t have to involve a gym membership! With the best Philly dentistry available, Penn Dental Family Practice wants to help guide you to a new and healthy smile.

While the eyes are windows to the soul, the mouth is a window into the health of your body. According to the American Dental Association, the mouth reveals signs of infections and deficiencies, which can be an indicator of other health problems in your body.

Some research indicates that there is a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular issues. The link between these two diseases is inflammation. In cardiovascular diseases, inflammation can cause hardening of the arteries, making blood flow to the heart difficult. This in turn causes heart disease and strokes.

In gingivitis/periodontal diseases, gum bleeding and inflammation are often a sign of other health problems. When gums are vulnerable, that allows opportunistic bacteria to come in and wreak havoc. For example: streptococcus agnius is the bacteria that is found in periodontal disease, and it plays a significant role in strokes.

With an absence of swollen or bleeding gums there seems to be less of a chance for cardiovascular issues. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can lead to a happy and healthy body as well.

Philly Dentistry: 5 Actions You Can Take For A Healthy Smile

Action #1: Brush 2x a Day.

While this is basic Oral Hygiene 101, it is very important that you brush at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth in the morning removes all that bacteria buildup you received while sleeping. Brushing at the end of the day removes all the bacteria and food buildup you accumulate throughout the day.

Action #2: Floss once a day.

Along with brushing every day, twice a day, flossing benefits your oral health. Your toothbrush can’t get into all those hard to reach places, but floss can. During one of your brushing sessions run some floss through your teeth and remove that plaque buildup. Learn the best flossing technique here.

Action #3: Make your next regular dentist appointment.

Your regular dental visits are crucial to maintaining optimal oral health, and you guessed it your overall health. Your dentist is there to monitor your oral health, and catch any dental issues and avoid any health issues. When we say “regularly,” we suggest two visits a year (every six months) for a checkup.

Action #4: Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet.

High sugar consumption increases your risk for tooth decay. Extra sugars in the mouth are food for bacteria to feed on which creates acids that erode your teeth’s enamel. If these sugars aren’t brushed off, the acid continues to eat away at the teeth. The end result is worn down teeth that are very vulnerable to tooth decay. Check the labels on your food and drinks. This will give you a realistic picture of how much sugar you are consuming, and where you can cut back.

Action #5: Research your options for dental solutions.

In addition to day-to-day care of your teeth, now is also a great time to look for solutions for older dental issues. Whether you are missing teeth or your smile is not as straight as you would like, there are solutions available to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Check out these eBooks about your Philly dentistry options to get started: Smile With Confidence: Your Dental Implant Options and The Advantage of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures.

Outstanding Philly Dentistry

The best dentistry Philly has to offer is at Penn Dental Family Practice where we provide our patients more than just general dentistry. We have all of the dental specialities in three convenient offices. Additionally, many of our doctors are also instructors at the University of Penn Dental Medicine. So, you can be confident that you are being treated by the best and the brightest in the industry. Let us help you take your next step toward great oral health, whatever that may be. Call today to make an appointment (215) 898-PDFP!