Have you ever thought about eating healthier or exercising more? Is your main goal simply losing a few pounds or getting in better shape? Of course, these are worthwhile goals with a number of benefits. However, did you know that exercising can actually help your oral health as well as your overall health?
Periodontal disease—which is also known as gum disease—is an inflammation of your gums that can become worse over time if not addressed. If you don’t remove plaque and tartar by brushing and flossing consistently, your gums can become more irritated and inflamed. Eventually your gums could even separate from your teeth.
There are a few things you can consider doing if you’d like to avoid gum disease. As you’ve probably already guessed, exercising is one thing you can do. People who don’t smoke and exercise regularly are only about half as likely to have gum disease. Because gum disease can cause your gums to separate from your teeth, bacteria can enter into your bloodstream more easily. This can leave you more vulnerable to issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
If you would like to learn more about how exercising can benefit your oral health or about periodontal disease, please don’t hesitate to contact Rai Family Dentistry at 540-657-0867. Dr. Rai and the rest of our team will be happy to answer any questions you have. We’re eager to hear from you soon.