Brushing your teeth has many benefits. It gives you fresh breath, makes your teeth bright and white, and is also good for the rest of the body.
Regular teeth brushing has been known to prevent the buildup of bacteria in the body which can lead to inflammation problems, specifically with the heart.
Now a new study published in the “European Journal of Preventive Cardiology” has further linked regular brushing to good heart health.
What researchers found
Researchers studied roughly 60,000 people for over 10 years to see how brushing three or more times per day affected their heart health. All of the study participants were between the ages of 40 and 79.
The study found that those who brushed at least three times a day were 10 percent less likely to experience atrial fibrillation and had a 12 percent reduction in heart failure risk.
Although these study results are promising, more research needs to be done to find out the direct link between regular brushing and heart health.
How are teeth connected to the heart
Although the teeth and heart are in two different areas in the body, they still affect one another.
Bacteria is largely brought into the body through the mouth, so regular brushing helps remove bacteria that otherwise could enter the body through the gums and make its way into the bloodstream.
Once bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can wreak havoc on the rest of the body- including the heart.
Inflammation can lead to heart problems like atrial fibrillation and heart failure, which left untreated can cause other serious health problems and even death.
By brushing three times a day, or after each meal, you’re removing bad bacteria before it can settle into the gums and make its way into the bloodstream.
How much is too much?
The question is, is there such a thing as too much brushing?
The answer is yes. Brushing too often can wear out the tooth enamel and cause tooth sensitivity and decay. It can also lead to sore, bleeding gum tissue which can then let in even more bacteria into the bloodstream.
Brushing three times a day is recommended to keep teeth clean and bacteria away.
If you brush well two times daily for at least two minutes and cover each tooth surface thoroughly, that is also effective in removing bacteria.
Remember to floss twice daily as well to remove food in between the teeth that regular brushing can’t reach. If food is left in between the teeth, it can cause decay and lead to cavities and a buildup of bacteria in the mouth.
The best thing you can do for your mouth and overall health is to brush regularly and thoroughly and follow up with flossing. Keeping the mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria will keep it away from the bloodstream and help avoid problems like inflammation in the body that can lead to serious health risks like atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
