How Healthy Teeth Can Help You Resist COVID-19 & Other Infectious Diseases

It may seem a bit strange to say that your oral health can actually help you resist COVID-19 and other viruses like the common cold and the flu, but it’s true! Wondering how this is possible, and how to keep your smile healthy and resist COVID-19? Learn more from Waterfront Dental now.

Avoiding Gum Disease & Tooth Decay Helps Keep Your Immune System Strong 

It’s actually pretty simple to understand how avoiding oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease can help your immune system stay strong. It all comes down to how your immune system responds to threats like viruses and bacteria.

If you have an infected tooth or gum disease, your immune system will need to send a lot of immune cells like antibodies and white blood cells to that area to deal with the problem. Since your body can’t create an unlimited amount of immune cells, this leads to a weaker immune response in other areas of your body.

So, if your gums and teeth are strong and free of infections, your body is more able to respond quickly to other viral and bacterial threats such as COVID-19, which can help you avoid getting sick. 

How Can I Keep My Mouth Healthy & Keep My Immune System Strong? 

Wondering what the best way is to maintain your oral health and boost your immune system? Here are some helpful suggestions from the team at Waterfront Dental. 

• Maintain proper oral hygiene – Make sure that you brush twice a day for two minutes, floss once a day, and use antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate bacteria and keep your smile healthy and strong.
  
  
• Reduce intake of sweets – Try to eat fewer sweet snacks, and cease drinking sugary cola, coffee, tea, sports drinks, and other such beverages. The less sugar you eat, the less “food” the bacteria in your mouth will be able to consume, leading to a healthier mouth.
  
  
• Cease tobacco use – Using tobacco is horrible for your oral health and raises your risk of just about every oral health issue including cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. It also harms your immune system and your lungs.
  
  
• Use alcohol in moderation – Heavy alcohol use suppresses the immune system, and also can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay, particularly if you like to drink sugary cocktails.
  
  
• See the dentist every six months – Seeing Dr. Dawn Merguerian every six months ensures your mouth is healthy, and the team at Waterfront Dental will clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar and reduce your risk of gum disease and cavities. 

Contact Waterfront Dental To Get An Appointment Right Away 

If you are overdue for a teeth cleaning and oral exam in Baltimore and you want to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy, don’t wait. Contact us online or call Waterfront Dental at (410) 505-0551 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Merguerian right away. We’re open for all appointments, and have implemented a variety of precautions to keep you safe from COVID-19 at our office, so get started right away.