Poor oral health is linked to life threatening disease: Tips to prevent disease through oral care

Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is not just about having a bright smile—it plays a crucial role in supporting your overall health. Neglecting oral care can lead to more than just cavities and gum disease; it can contribute to serious, even life-threatening conditions. Scientific research has increasingly highlighted the strong connection between oral health and the functioning of vital organs, including the heart, brain, and digestive system.

When oral hygiene is poor, harmful bacteria build up in the mouth. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream through inflamed or bleeding gums, triggering chronic inflammation in the body. This inflammation can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, studies suggest that poor oral health may be linked to cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s, possibly due to the spread of oral bacteria to the brain.

Digestive issues can also stem from poor oral health. Chewing is the first step of digestion, and compromised teeth or gums can affect how food is broken down, leading to gastrointestinal problems.

There are several approaches to oral health and ancient wisdom like Ayurveda has proven benefits
For instance, yoga guru Swami Ramdev and proponent of holistic health, emphasizes the importance of maintaining overall hygiene including oral. He vouches for using natural and home remedies to maintain oral health daily. He also advocates doing Yoga everyday and incorporating herbal remedies which can significantly enhance oral and overall hygiene.

Prevention tips from Swami Ramdev:

Oil pulling: Swami Ramdev recommends going towards the ancient practice of Oil-Pulling that reduces bad breath. Sesame or Coconut oil can be used for this method. It is known to remove toxins that are harmful for our health.

Tongue cleaning: Regularly cleaning the tongue using a scraper removes bacteria and prevents bad breath.

Yoga practices: there are certain asanas, including pranayama (breathing exercise) can enhance blood circulation, boost the immune system, benefitting the overall health and oral hygiene. It is known to improve your mood as well as sleep.

Herbal toothpaste: Neem has the highest antibacterial properties. Back in the days people only used neem, babool or mango toothpicks for maintaining their hygiene. All these naturally occurring ingredients helps reducing bacterial growth and maintaining healthy gums.

Gargling with Ayurvedic decoctions: Swami Ramdev recommends gargling with all-natural herbal solutions like Turmeric and Saltwater, which acts as an antiseptic and is known to reduce inflammation. Triphala water strengthens gums and removes toxins

By integrating these practices into daily routines, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of developing severe health conditions linked to poor oral hygiene .