Healthier Smile, Better Health

Some health habits might seem too easy or insignificant – or both – to make a difference in quality of life. Here is something you can do for yourself -without taking much more than ten minutes total, spread throughout each day - to improve your health and energy without an overly ambitious exercise program or yet another diet plan.

Brush and floss your teeth! You likely have read or heard that teeth and gum problems can lead to heart disease because it increases inflammatory markers in the blood. You might know there are a growing number of studies that suggest poor oral health could be the first indicator of diabetes, stroke, unsuccessful pregnancies, and even leukemia and AIDS. It’s all enough to renew a vigorous brushing and flossing routine.

Yet there’s more. For decades, medical schools and doctors ignored oral health symptoms or, at most, categorized oral health as superficial. Now the Association of American Medical Colleges has established a recommendation that the nation’s medical schools include more oral health instruction in the curriculum to better equip future physicians with the clinical ability to connect teeth and gum problems with other diseases.

Equipping yourself with the best oral health routine means brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day. The most important time to brush is before you go to sleep. Flossing once a daily is optimal also.

So, here’s to improved smiles and better health!