A healthy lifestyle includes oral care

While many health-centered messages focus on eating organic, working out regularly, or avoiding empty calories, these health messages often fail to stress the importance of dental care as part of your wellness practices.

In reality, oral health cannot be compartmentalized as separate or detached from overall wellness. Good oral health can affect people positively both physically and psychologically from influencing how they eat, chew, socialize, and speak. Habits like smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, and failing to brush teeth after eating can increase the chance of developing gum disease. Gum disease, in turn, can cause serious infections and other diseases that may shorten life expectancy.

In addition to disease, gum disease can also cause pain and diminished quality of life. To increase overall wellness, life expectancy, and quality of life, focus on oral care as part of your healthy lifestyle!