Dental Health That Protects Your Whole Body

National Dental Hygiene Month is the perfect reminder that taking care of your teeth does way more than just prevent cavities. Good dental hygiene can actually help protect you from heart disease and strokes. Your mouth is connected to everything – it’s the gateway to your digestive and respiratory systems. When bacteria from poor oral hygiene get into your bloodstream, they can affect your entire body.

So when you brush and floss twice a day and visit your dentist regularly, you’re not just working toward a great smile – you’re investing in your overall health.

The Mouth-Body Connection

According to Mayo Clinic research and Legacy Community Health experts, your mouth is more connected to the rest of your body than you might think. When dental health suffers, it can affect everything from your heart and blood sugar to pregnancy complications and joint inflammation. Research keeps revealing just how much our oral health influences our total well-being.

• Heart Health and Oral Care: Some studies suggest that the bacteria in gum disease can travel to your heart and cause heart disease, clogged arteries, or stroke. Mayo Clinic research confirms this connection between oral infections and cardiovascular problems.
• Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: Expectant mothers should pay special attention to their oral health. Gum infections, such as periodontitis, have been linked to premature births and low birth weight in pregnant women.
• Diabetes Management: The relationship between diabetes and oral health goes both ways. Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, making the gums more susceptible to infection, which can adversely affect blood sugar. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels.
• Other Health Conditions: Oral health has also been linked to pneumonia, HIV/AIDS complications, and certain cancers, including mouth, gastrointestinal tract, lung, breast, prostate, and uterine cancers.

What Is Good Dental Hygiene?

“Dental hygiene is often overlooked but is essential for overall well-being,” says Dr. Amar Trivedi, Medical Director of Dental Services at Legacy Community Health.

His advice for National Dental Hygiene Month? “We recommend spending just 5 minutes a day on dental care – 2 minutes of brushing in the morning, 2 minutes of brushing in the evening, and flossing once a day to keep your oral health in optimal condition between dental visits.”

What you eat and drink matters just as much. Limit sugar, keep alcohol moderate, and avoid tobacco entirely – these habits are particularly damaging to your mouth.

Don’t ignore warning signs like pain, bleeding gums, swelling, persistent sores, or changes in your mouth’s color or texture. These could signal serious conditions like gum disease or mouth cancer, so see your dentist right away.

Dental Care for Kids

As Legacy’s Lorena Mottu explained in an August 2025 Telemundo interview, children’s dental health is essential because “problems in the mouth can cause problems in the body, the heart, the immune system, and also children’s growth.” That’s why dental visits should start at 6 months or when the first tooth appears.

Dr. Trivedi emphasizes the importance of early intervention: “We recommend dental appointments starting at 6 months of age. This ensures the child builds an early relationship with the dentist.”

For parents concerned about dental anxiety, Legacy has implemented innovative approaches to make visits more comfortable. Since joining Legacy in 2020, Dr. Trivedi has introduced nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help anxious or fearful patients receive appropriate treatment.

Legacy’s approach also includes evidence-based practices like “tell-show-do” – a technique where dental professionals explain what will happen, demonstrate the steps involved, and then perform the treatment. This transparent approach helps children understand and feel more comfortable with their dental care.

Pediatric dental services include professional cleanings, dental sealants, cavity treatments, extractions when needed, and comprehensive exams with x-rays.

Your Complete Dental Care Partner

National Dental Hygiene Month reminds us that the oral health journey starts with a single step. Legacy Community Health is committed to promoting and providing dental health throughout the Houston community.

As a Houston native, Dr. Trivedi has witnessed the oral health disparities in the community firsthand. “Quality, ethical care for the underserved pediatric communities is a big issue in Houston,” he explains. “That is why Legacy has shifted its dental focus to primarily treat patients aged 6 months to 18 years of age.”

Legacy offers comprehensive dental services at multiple locations. Our three pediatric-focused clinics serve ages 6 months to 18 years, with our School Health Department connecting directly with Galena Park schools for accessible student care. The other 2 locations serve Southwest Houston and the Fifth Ward area. Legacy Dental accepts all insurance types, including Medicaid, and offers financial assistance for uninsured families.

For more information about dental services at Legacy Community Health, visit us online or call (832) 548-5000. Our multilingual staff is ready to help you and your family achieve optimal oral health.