When you hear the words “health” and “well-being,” what do you usually think of? Exercise, having a healthy diet, and enough sleep might be some of the contenders. However, having good oral health is also a part of having great overall health and well-being because it keeps you from serious complications that might come from teeth or gum infection. So, with all of this in mind, how do dentists at Fairfield dental clinic contribute to our overall health?
What Is Health and Well-Being?
Health and well-being go hand in hand in keeping you in your optimal condition. It encompasses the physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of your existence so that your body can fight diseases from natural and environmental factors. At the same time, meeting new people needs a confidence boost that only your smile can bring, so these affect your mental and social well-being too.
How Dentists Contribute to Overall Health
Preventing serious health conditions. When they said that the mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, that is actually true, because that’s where you take in the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. The role of dentists in taking care of your overall health is to ensure that the early signs of oral health concerns are addressed before they get worse.
Improving digestion and nutrition. Strong teeth are not just for show—they are needed so that you can chew and break down food properly when it comes into contact with your teeth. A balanced diet is nothing if you cannot eat because of toothache or discomfort in your gums.
Boosting mental health and confidence. A crooked or discoloured tooth is something not concerning until someone notices it. We all know that the first thing that people often notice is our smile, so when these issues affect your self-esteem already, considering cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics might make your social interactions more comfortable and enjoyable.
Helping with sleep and breathing issues. Some people snore, and because this is common to a lot of households, we think that this is okay. Another thing that gets overlooked is sleep apnea, which apparently is linked to oral health. The good news is that dentists can identify those issues early on and even provide you with immediate treatments for them.
Supporting children’s development and well-being. Having awareness of the importance of oral health is best started young. This is why many parents are encouraged to take their children to the dentist so that the developmental concerns they might face growing up can be addressed immediately.
Dentists do more than just fix your teeth.
The right sentence might be that dentists do more than just protect your dental health, as they play an essential role in maintaining your overall well-being. So while you still feel healthy and you have time to do things, keep in mind to always brush, floss, and gargle with the prescribed toothpaste and mouthwash and book yourself an appointment with your local dentist to check if your oral health is still at its optimum.
