If you mentally listed the most popular benefits of regular exercise, better dental health might not be among them. Yet, the many health conditions associated with poor physical health, including heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses, may also be tied to the state of your oral health. Controlling your risks of these and other health issues through regular exercise can also help you better fight gum disease and other destructive dental health issues.
The Dental Health Benefits of Exercise
Gum disease develops when the periodontal infection known as gingivitis is not treated and reversed in time. As the product of overwhelming numbers of bacteria infecting your gums, gingivitis produces several tell-tale symptoms, including unchecked tissue inflammation. Certain bacteria (of the type, Porphyromonas gingivalis) manipulate your immune system to avoid its attempts at driving them out. When you exercise on a regular basis, your body and immune system can better regulate inflammation, helping you better protect your smile from gum disease and, in severe cases, tooth loss. The healthier lifestyle should also encourage more conscious eating habits, which will help you better control gum disease-causing oral bacteria throughout the day.
Your Family Dentist’s Role in Better Dental Health
While exercise helps keep your body and oral health strong in the face of gum inflammation, it takes more than a good workout routine to prevent gum disease from developing. When you brush and floss your teeth each day, pay special attention along your gum line, where bacteria can gather but are often overlooked. During your routine dental checkup appointments, your family dentist can check for signs of gum inflammation and recommend appropriate treatment, possibly reversing it before gum disease forms. Your dentist can also recommend improvements to your hygiene routine at home to better prevent gingivitis and gum disease between your dental checkups and cleanings.
ABOUT YOUR ROCHESTER, MN, FAMILY DENTISTS:
Calcagno Cosmetic and Family Dentistry offer expert services including teeth whitening, Six Month Smiles, Clear Aligner Systems, root canals, and pediatric dentistry. To schedule a consultation, please call (507) 218-8936. Dr. Gilly Calcagno and Dr. Kara Heimer welcome and serve patients from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, Austin, and the surrounding communities.
