When it comes to our health, it is easily manipulated my many factors. More often than not, we do not realize that our oral health, specifically, affects more than just our oral cavity. The mouth leads to many different mechanisms of the body. From the heart to the intestines, our oral health and hygiene is imperative to keep strong, because we would be affecting our overall bodily health.

When we neglect our oral hygiene, and skip brushing our teeth routinely and flossing, we may allow infections to arise. When infections set into the soft tissue of the mouth, our gums become inflamed and red. This could be the first signs and symptoms of gingivitis. If gingivitis worsens, infection could enter the blood stream and cause severe sickness.

Because our overall health is so easily compromised, we need to be cognizant of staying on top of our oral health and hygiene. The most optimal way to stay on top of our health is to follow these tips:

• Floss your teeth to relieve the plaque and debris from in between the teeth
• Brush your teeth, day and night, minimum for two minutes
• While brushing, do not press too hard, as it may cause cuts on the soft tissue (this could cause your gums to be more susceptible to infection)
• Rinse your mouth after eating meals to remove any food

These tips are particularly important for the hard to reach places, because it is where food and plaque settles, which may bring upon gingivitis. Sensitive gums are a serious problem that can turn into much more, so if you are experiencing tender soft tissue, schedule an appointment with your doctor for help.

Investing in your oral health should not be an option. We need to take control of the controllable, and maintain or oral hygiene. If you would be interested in guidance on how to best take care of your oral health, contact your doctor and their team for direction. One step to taking control is having the right toothbrush and paste that fit your dental needs. Set up an appointment for your routine checkups.