Daily brushing and flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy, while helping to protect against cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.[1] But did you know that good oral hygiene also helps protect your overall health?[2]
It’s true. When you don’t take proper care of your mouth, it can lead to a number of health problems that affect other parts of your body.[3] Here’s a look at how oral health impacts overall health—and ways to protect your choppers.
How oral health affects your overall health
An estimated 4 in 10 Americans have gum disease.[4] Also called periodontal disease, gum disease occurs when a sticky film called plaque builds up on your teeth.[5] Bacteria in plaque can infect your gums, causing gingivitis.[6] This condition causes red, bleeding, and swollen gums.[7]
You can treat and reverse gingivitis.[8] But if gum disease progresses, gums can pull away from your teeth.[9] The bones and soft tissues that hold teeth in place can decay, leading to tooth loss.[10] These gum changes provide an opening for bacteria to enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body.[11]
Bacteria in blood can cause inflammation that increases your risk for health problems, such as:[12]
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Heart disease and endocarditis (infection of the heart’s inner lining)
- Pneumonia
- Pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth
- Stroke
Poor gum health can also increase your risk for prediabetes, and make it more challenging to manage blood glucose (blood sugar) when you have diabetes.[13]
Health conditions that affect your teeth and gums
Certain health conditions can also affect your oral health.[14] You may be more prone to developing gum disease and other oral health problems if you have: [15]
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- High stress levels or anxiety
- HIV/AIDS
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
How to improve oral health
Your genes, diet, lifestyle behaviors, health conditions, and dental habits impact your oral health.[16] These oral hygiene actions can help protect your teeth, gums, and overall health:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
At a minimum, you should brush your teeth twice a day.[17] You may also want to brush after you eat, particularly if it’s something sticky or sugary.[18] While manual toothbrushes get the job done, studies show that powered (electric) toothbrushes may clean teeth and gums better.[19]
There’s more to proper toothbrushing than you might realize. To effectively get rid of plaque and bacteria, you should:[20]
- Choose a soft-bristle toothbrush and use a gentle grip (stiffer bristles or too much force can damage gums and tooth enamel).
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline.
- Brush all surfaces in a circular motion, including the backs and sides of the teeth.
- Spend at least 30 seconds brushing each upper and lower section, for a minimum of 2 minutes of brushing time.
- Brush your tongue (which collects bacteria) with a toothbrush or tongue scraper.
Floss the correct way
Dental floss and water flossers reach and remove food, plaque, and bacteria stuck between teeth.[21] Water flossers can be helpful if you have braces, dental work, or hand dexterity issues that make it harder to use traditional floss.[22] Interdental brushes, more commonly called dental picks or stick flossers, are also available.[23]
Whatever method you prefer, you should floss once a day before bed (or anytime you feel food stuck between your teeth).[24] Flossing before brushing can help remove plaque and food particles, clearing the way for fluoride to get in between teeth when you brush.[25]
To get the best flossing results, follow these steps:[26]
- Use a piece of dental floss that’s about 18 inches long.
- Wrap each end of floss around your left and right middle fingers.
- Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss between each tooth.
- Form a C-shape with the floss around each tooth, moving it up and down several times.
- Perform these steps to get in between every tooth, adjusting the floss as you go so you’re using a clean segment of floss for each tooth.
Rinse away bacteria
Antibacterial mouthwash can help remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles[27] and minimize bad breath.[28] Mouthwashes with fluoride can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.[29]
It’s usually best to choose an alcohol-free mouthwash.[30] Alcohol formulas can dry out your mouth, raising your risk of gum disease, cavities, and other oral health problems.[31]
It is most effective to rinse with mouthwash after you brush and floss your teeth.[32] For best results:[33]
- Swish about 4 teaspoons of mouthwash for 30 seconds.
- Spit the mouthwash into the sink.
- Don’t rinse with water or drink or eat anything for at least 30 minutes.
See your dentist
Regular dental checkups with professionals are a great way to protect your teeth and gums.[34] Dentists and dental hygienists use tools that more thoroughly remove plaque, bacteria, and tartar from teeth.[35] You can also get dental sealants and fluoride treatments to lower your risk of cavities.[36]
Dental checkups and X-rays can help detect tooth and gum problems early, lowering your risk of serious oral health problems. [37] You should see a dental provider every 6 months.[38] Your provider may recommend more frequent appointments if you have gum disease or conditions that increase your risk of gum disease.[39]
Get help to quit tobacco products
People who smoke are twice as likely to develop gum disease.[40] But using any form of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, affects your gums.[41] Smoking weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight a gum infection and increasing healing time when you have gum damage.[42]
If you’d like to quit tobacco, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about options that can help.
In summary: Healthy teeth and gums can mean a healthier you
Taking good care of your teeth and gums is important to overall health. You’re also more likely to have a beautiful smile, fresher breath, and a lower risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease. [43] When shopping, look for products that have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal, which means they’ve undergone rigorous testing.[44]
Now that you know more about the importance of caring for your teeth and gums, you may be curious about next steps. The Sincerely Health nutrition tools in the app can help.
You can start by downloading the app. You’ll save $10 on groceries* for creating an account. Next, create a personalized Sincerely Health nutrition profile to receive 1,000 points*.
Your nutrition profile allows you to:
- Set specific nutrition goals.
- Earn 10 points for items you purchase for a maximum 100 points per order (that’s 10 items at 10 points each).*
FAQs about dental health
What is gum disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease occurs when a sticky film called plaque builds up on your teeth.[45] Bacteria in plaque can infect gums, causing red, bleeding, and swollen gums.[46] Over time, the bones and soft tissues that hold teeth in place can decay, leading to tooth loss.[47]
How does gum disease affect overall health?
The bacteria that cause gum disease also cause inflammation that increases your risk for diabetes, heart problems, pneumonia, pregnancy complications, stroke, and other chronic conditions.[48]
How often should you see your dentist?
Most people should see a dentist every 6 months.[49] You may need more frequent checkups if you have gum disease, or are high risk for developing gum disease.[50]
Sign up for Sincerely Health and create a nutrition profile to help you get healthy today!
Sources
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[2] Cleveland Clinic. How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health. Last reviewed October 20, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/oral-health-body-connection; Cleveland Clinic. Oral Hygiene. Last reviewed April 21, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16914-oral-hygiene
[3] Cleveland Clinic. Oral Hygiene. Last reviewed April 21, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16914-oral-hygiene
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gum Disease Facts. Last reviewed May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/data-research/facts-stats/fast-facts-gum-disease.html
[5] Cleveland Clinic. Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease). Last reviewed April 10, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21482-gum-periodontal-disease
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[13] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Oral Health. Last reviewed May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/index.html; University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. The Surprising Connection Between Oral Health and Well Being. Last reviewed January 14, 2019. https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/the-surprising-connections-between-oral-health-and-well-being/
[14] Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Oral Health. Last reviewed December 2022. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/oral-health/; Cleveland Clinic. How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health. Last reviewed October 20, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/oral-health-body-connection
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[19] Oral Health Foundation. Electric Toothbrushes Win the Head-to-Head Against Manual in Record-Breaking New Study. Last reviewed June 25, 2019. https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/electric-toothbrushes-win-the-head-to-head-against-manual-in-record-breaking-new-study; Cleveland Clinic. Here’s Why You Should Be Using an Electric Toothbrush. Last reviewed February 14, 2023. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/should-i-be-using-an-electric-toothbrush
[20] Cleveland Clinic. How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth? Last reviewed January 5, 2023. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-to-brush-your-teeth
[21] Cleveland Clinic. How to Properly Floss Your Teeth. Last reviewed November 13, 2024. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-floss-your-teeth
[22] Mayo Clinic. Is It More Effective to Floss Teeth With a Water Flosser or Dental Floss? Last reviewed January 29, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/dental-floss/faq-20058112; Cleveland Clinic. How to Properly Floss Your Teeth. Last reviewed November 13, 2024. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-floss-your-teeth
[23] Cleveland Clinic. How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth? Last reviewed January 5, 2023. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-to-brush-your-teeth
[24] Cleveland Clinic. Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? Last reviewed October 27, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/floss-before-or-after-brushing
[25] Cleveland Clinic. Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? Last reviewed October 27, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/floss-before-or-after-brushing
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[29] Delta Dental. Mouthwash 101: What It Does and How to Use It. https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile/oral-health-habits/mouthwash.html
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[31] Cleveland Clinic. Oral Hygiene. Last reviewed April 21, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16914-oral-hygiene; Cleveland Clinic. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia). Last reviewed September 15, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10902-dry-mouth-xerostomia
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[47] Cleveland Clinic. Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease). Last reviewed April 10, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21482-gum-periodontal-disease
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[50] Cleveland Clinic. Dental Cleanings. Last reviewed January 13, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11187-dental-check-up
