Five Health Benefits to Brushing Your Teeth (that we bet you didn’t know)

We’ve all heard it our whole lives, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. You probably had a nagging mother or have turned into a nagging parent who constantly tells their kids to go and brush their teeth. Other than good oral health and the obvious health benefits, there are 5 important health benefits associated with good oral hygiene and regular routine brushing, and we bet you didn’t know about these!

Brushing your teeth can actually help you prevent respiratory disease like pneumonia and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). These respiratory problems stem from bacteria getting into the lower respiratory tract. Since periodontal disease stems from a bacterial infection around the teeth and gums, the two can be tied together. So in short, taking care of your teeth by brushing regularly could cut down on the chances of pneumonia and COPD.

Teeth brushing can improve your health during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, you are more prone to pregnancy gingivitis. Since gingivitis can be the beginning of more serious periodontal problems, it’s important to keep your gums and teeth healthy while pregnant. Research has proven that mothers with good oral health are more likely to have babies with good oral health. Studies also show that mothers with periodontal disease are at risk of having premature births and low birth weight babies. So when you’re pregnant, don’t forget to brush!

Brushing your teeth has been linked to helping with weight loss! Most people love the way their mouth and teeth feel after brushing, so studies show that brushing your teeth after a meal helps prevent people from popping snacks after brushing. There is also a mental aspect of brushing your teeth. When you brush, you are telling yourself that you are done eating. If you have a bad habit of late night snacking, brush your teeth after dinner to remind yourself that you are done eating for the night.

Brushing your teeth can help improve cognitive function. Studies have shown a correlation between cognitive dysfunction and gum disease as it related to Alzheimer’s disease. (study by New York University College of Dentistry). In a nut shell, people with inflamed gums were nine times more likely to have low cognitive function. So in addition to mind sharpening games, green tea and exercise, be sure to brush to keep your brain in tip top condition.

Brushing your teeth can help cut down on sexual problems. Bad breath is not the only reason not brushing your teeth can negatively affect your sex life. In 2011, a British study showed a link between (ED) erectile dysfunction and gum disease. In this study, four out of five men who struggled with ED also had gum disease. When you don’t brush your teeth, oral bacteria and plaque can enter the bloodstream causing the penile vessels to narrow. Teeth brushing can also improve a man’s sperm count.