How Healthy Teeth Can Help You Resist COVID-19

Did you know that a healthy mouth and clean teeth can help you resist COVID-19 and other infectious diseases like the flu and the common cold? Get all the details in this blog from Scarsdale Smiles now.

Can A Healthy Mouth Really Help Me Resist COVID-19?

Yes! This is because if your mouth is healthy and free of common oral health issues like cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease, your immune system will be able to work more effectively elsewhere in your body.

This is because your immune system can only produce a certain amount of immune cells at once. If you have gum disease, for example, lots of immune cells will be sent to your gums to fight back against the bacteria causing the disease.

In turn, this decreases your immune system’s ability to respond to threats elsewhere in your body. So by keeping your mouth healthy, you can avoid this issue, and resist infectious diseases like COVID-19 more effectively, reducing your chances of getting sick.

How Can I Keep My Mouth Healthy? Our Recommendations At Scarsdale Smiles

At a minimum, you need to brush twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. We also recommend using antibacterial mouthwash after flossing. This helps kill more bacteria, and rinses away food particles dislodged by flossing.

You should also see Dr. Alexander Cox twice a year for a teeth cleaning and oral exam. Getting preventive dentistry every six months helps keep your smile healthy and strong, and helps you avoid common oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay.

Maintaining a good diet is also a good idea. Avoid too much sugar and processed foods, and try to eat mostly fruit, vegetables, lean meats, healthy dairy like yogurt, and whole grains. A healthy diet helps boost your immune system and also reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease.

How Else Can I Boost My Immune System?

Need a few other quick tips to boost your immune system? Here are a few things that may help prevent you from getting sick this fall and winter.

• Get plenty of rest – Lack of sleep can decrease your immune response and lead to a higher risk of getting sick, so get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night.
  
  
• Exercise every day – Even just a short, 30 minute walk every day can help improve your heart health and overall health, and exercise has been shown to help boost your immune response. 

• Quit smoking – Smoking is horrible for your oral health and raises your risk of oral cancer, tooth decay, and gum disease. It also harms your immune system. Stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco to improve your immune system and overall health.
  
  
• Don’t use alcohol to excess – Using too much alcohol significantly weakens your immune system, and can also lead to oral health issues. Drink alcohol infrequently, and in moderation.
  

Need More Tips On Maintaining A Healthy Smile? Come To Scarsdale Smiles 

If you are in need of oral health tips and a six-month teeth cleaning and oral exam in Scarsdale, Dr. Alex Cox is here to help. At Scarsdale Smiles, we’re always accepting new patients, and we’d be happy to provide you with the preventive care you need in Scarsdale. Contact us online or give us a call at (914) 723-1186 to get started.