In light of current events, the immune system has been in the news more in the past year than ever before. Along with stories about business closures and how Covid-19 works, you’ll often see experts on TV talking about how you can boost your immune system. Luckily, an easy way to do this involves something you should already be familiar with – daily brushing and flossing. That’s right, by taking good care of your oral health, you can reduce your risk of infectious diseases like Covid-19. How? Continue reading to find out.
How Your Mouth Affects Your Immune System
Your mouth is the most “open” part of your body. Basically, anything that gets in your mouth has a chance of entering the rest of your body. For example, when you take a bite of food, it enters through your mouth, gets digested in your stomach, and is then broken down into energy that spreads throughout your whole body.
This system is wonderful for helpful items like food and medicine. However, it also means that harmful objects, like bacteria, can directly access your body through your mouth. As a result, they could compromise your immune system.
If you don’t brush or floss (or receive a dental cleaning) often enough, bad bacteria can build up in the mouth. They then have ample opportunity to infiltrate your bloodstream, either by traveling down the throat or entering through the gums, which are very vascular tissues. From there, the bacteria can make its way to various vital organs and cause inflammation, infection, and other damage. All of these things weaken the immune system, making you more vulnerable to severe consequences from viruses like Covid-19.
Tips for Boosting Your Oral and Overall Health
The good news is that fortifying your immune system doesn’t require much more than what you should already be doing. You likely know some ways to do this, such as:
- Brushing every morning and every night for two minutes at a time
- Flossing each evening
- Reducing your intake of sugary foods and beverages
- Refraining from using tobacco products
- Getting regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist
Together, these habits make it far more difficult for bacteria to enter the rest of your body through your mouth. Your immune system will be more prepared to fight off any infection that comes its way.
If you’re looking to boost your immune system, you don’t need to take any supplements. Instead, all you need to do is follow the health advice you’ve been hearing your whole life. By being proactive about your oral health, you can increase your chances of keeping yourself and the people around you safer during the pandemic.
About the Author
At iSmile Dental Arts, Dr. Willy Kassem provides comprehensive dental care to families in the Williamstown, NJ area. He keeps up with the latest techniques and technologies in the dental field through his memberships in several professional organizations, including the New Jersey Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. To learn more about keeping your mouth healthy, or to schedule your next dental checkup, you can contact Dr. Kassem’s office at (856)-818-9998.
