If you want to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other viruses like the common cold and the flu, a healthy mouth may be the key. In this blog from Redmond Art of Dentistry, we’ll explain how a healthy mouth helps prevent viral infections like COVID-19, and give you some simple tips for better oral health.
Oral Infections Like Gum Disease Put More Stress On Your Immune System
So, how does a healthy mouth prevent COVID-19? The answer is simple. Our immune systems can’t produce an unlimited amount of antibodies, white blood cells, and other helpful immune cells to fight off infections.
That means that if you have an oral infection like gum disease or an infected tooth, your body has to send a lot of immune cells to try to get it under control and respond to the infection properly.
In turn, this means that these cells aren’t available to fight back against other viruses, bacteria, and parasites, weakening your overall immune response. But in contrast, if your mouth is healthy and free of infections, your body will be able to send more immune cells to respond to threats throughout your body, reducing your risk of getting sick.
Protect Your Immune System – Tips For Avoiding Gum Disease & Tooth Decay
If you want to keep your mouth and immune system healthy, there are a few steps you should take to keep your teeth and gums clean, and protect your oral health.
- Brush twice a day for two minutes – Be thorough, use fluoride toothpaste, and brush once in the morning and once at night after your final meal of the day to keep your smile healthy and strong.
- Floss consistently once per day – Don’t overlook flossing. Flossing once a day removes food particles and bacteria that you can’t reach by brushing, so get in the habit of flossing consistently.
- Consider using mouthwash – Antibacterial mouthwash helps kill bacteria and rinse away food particles, so consider using mouthwash a few times a day to keep your mouth healthy.
- Watch what you eat – Sugar is the enemy of your oral health, so try to avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Eat a healthy diet mostly consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy, while avoiding processed foods.
- Quit smoking & reduce alcohol use – Smoking is horrible for your immune system and your oral health, and alcohol use also impairs your immune response and can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
Six-Month Appointments Are Essential For A Healthy Mouth – Schedule Yours Today!
Along with the above steps to keep your mouth healthy, you should also get a six-month teeth cleaning and oral exam from Dr. Daniel Bickel at Redmond Art of Dentistry. If you’re overdue for a checkup, Dr. Bickel is here to help. We’re always accepting new patients, so contact us online or call us at (425) 386-7599 to schedule your appointment and get started right away.