Chew, swallow, and gulp. You do this till your finish whatever you are consuming. If it’s your last meal of the day you will likely brush your teeth in a couple hours and go to bed. But what does brushing your teeth do? Does it just keep you from having bad breath? Do you just do it because everyone else does? Or, do you just brush your teeth so you don’t have to see that God forsaken dentist!

Well for whatever reason, if you brush your teeth on a regular basis you are beating silent diseases without even knowing. So what does your oral health have to do with your overall health?

Well, a lot more than what you think. When you hear about gum disease, decaying teeth, or any type of oral inflammation you should become worried. What do all three of these situations have in common? Bacteria!

The bacteria that are causing inflammation do not only affect the mouth but the rest of the body. When you swallow bacteria goes down your throat and is eventually absorbed in your blood stream. Once absorbed, bacteria can lead to a plethora of other inflammations and diseases. One great example is cardiovascular disease which has shown that some of the clogged arteries are inflamed by bacteria that started in the mouth.

Another similar example is Endocarditis which is when bacteria attaches to the endocardium. This has also been found to originate in the mouth. Have you ever thought what a tooth loss before 35 could mean? Well that could potentially be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s based on current studies. These facts are shocking, and simply amazing the impact oral health has on an individual. With that said, you are probably thinking how does this tie into fitness? Well just like many aspects in life there are many components that make up the ultimate goal. With proper attention to the holy trinity (oral, nutrition, and fitness health) an individual can become the model specimen for longevity and human preservation.

-Phil