Oral health is something most people neglect these days. What they don’t realize is that having good oral health will provide them with more than just a great smile.

When the health of your mouth is in good shape it usually leads to better overall health. Numerous studies have already proven that when your teeth and gums aren’t healthy it can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease. Even your skin care can suffer if your mouth is not as healthy as it should be.

Check out some of the diseases and conditions that seem to have a connection to an unhealthy mouth:

Heart Disease – People with gum disease are much more likely to experience heart disease compared to someone who has healthy gums.

Diabetes – Diabetics are much more likely to experience gum disease and tooth decay. Some doctors believe this connection is due to oral bacteria preventing the body from managing blood sugar levels properly.

Kidney Disease – It isn’t surprising for doctors to find people with kidney disease also experiencing chronic bad breath and other oral health problems. Poor oral health affects the immune system, which reduces the body’s natural defense against this condition.

Tonsil Stones – Tonsil stones are little white nuggets that form in the tonsil crypts of your tonsils. People with this condition often experience chronic halitosis and other oral health problems. The main cause of tonsil stones is anaerobic bacteria (bad bacteria) multiplying in the tonsils due to poor oral hygiene.

Of course there are many other conditions that can develop due to not keeping your oral health in good shape. This is why it’s important to stop neglecting your oral health.

Not only will you have a nicer smile a nicer smile and fresher breath, but your overall health and even the appearance of your skin will improve too.  Below you’ll find 5 simple things you can do right now to start improving your oral health.

Stick to A Good Oral Hygiene Routine

Brushing your teeth is one of the most effective ways to improve your oral health and prevent it from reaching an unhealthy state. However, just brushing your teeth once every now and then isn’t going to cut it.

You must brush your teeth at least 2 times a day every week to get the best results. This is why it’s important to develop a healthy regimen for your oral health.

Some of the best things you can do to develop a healthy oral hygiene regimen include the following:

• Use a soft to medium bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth at least twice daily.
• Brush your teeth properly by keeping the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle on your gum line and use short strokes to brush your teeth.
• Brush the inner and outer surfaces of your teeth with your toothbrush.
• Make sure you brush your tongue thoroughly (especially towards the back where bacteria and bad breath mostly develops).
• Always use toothpaste that contains ingredients that will protect you against oral health problems like cavities and gum disease.
• Floss in between your teeth at least once everyday to remove leftover food particles and plaque that often get trapped.

Practicing these simple yet effective oral hygiene methods routinely each day will help big time in improving your oral health.

Eat Healthy

Many people don’t realize that eating healthy will always help improve their oral health as a result. You mainly want to include more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your daily diet to keep your mouth healthy.

You especially want to eat more foods that increase the production of saliva in your mouth. Saliva naturally flushes away bad bacteria, leftover food particles, and other debris in your mouth that can lead to oral health problems like gum disease.

Some of the best foods to eat regularly to increase saliva production in your mouth are broccoli, apples, spinach, and lettuce. Include more of these foods in your daily diet and watch your oral health begin to improve rapidly.

Use A Good Mouthwash

The best mouthwash to use is a therapeutic one that will help remove plaque, reduce tarter build up, and decrease the accumulation of plaque. Get yourself a good therapeutic mouthwash and use it often to rinse food particles, bacteria, and other unwanted debris from your mouth.

Stop Smoking

Keeping your oral health in tip top shape is another great reason for smokers to finally quit for good. People who smoke are ten times more likely to develop gum disease than someone who doesn’t smoke.

This is because smoking prevents your immune system from functioning the way it should, which makes it tougher for you to fight off oral health problems. So do your mouth and your body a huge favor and try your best to quit smoking.

See A Professional Dentist Regularly

By going to a dentist regularly you’ll be able to detect early signs of gum disease and other oral health problems. Not only that but getting your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist will help remove any plaque or tarter you couldn’t get rid of in your daily oral hygiene routine.

Also, your dentist can give you expert advice on proper technique for cleaning your mouth more effectively while you’re at home.

By following these simple tips you won’t have any problems improving your oral health. Once your oral health is in better shape you’ll begin to enjoy other benefits such as better looking skin and better overall health as a result.