Did you know that Dental New Year’s Resolutions can have a positive impact on your overall health?Researchers are studying the association between oral health, inflammation, and disease. Inflammation, which is the body’s response to infection, seems to play a key role in many health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Scientists hope to understand how these diseases are interrelated, and whether treating the inflammation caused by gum disease can improve other diseases.
This is important research because about 30% to 50% of American adults have mild to moderate gum disease. Another 5% to 15% have more severe disease, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Read more here.
Want to improve your dental health? Here are three resolutions to start with: 1) Brush twice daily, 2) Floss daily, and 3) Have at least two dental cleanings per year.