Upwards of 6 billion bacteria live inside the average human mouth. (Kiss me, now?) The wrong buildup of microorganisms in the mouth can lead to infections, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Oral bacteria can also travel into the blood stream, causing or contributing to an array of diseases that affect more than just that smile. Regular dental upkeep — flossing, brushing, mouthwashing, waterpicking, and chewing sugar-free gum — keeps these bad boys under control.

Say “Ahhh” — The Need-to-Know

Think it’s just those pearly whites that benefit from dental hygiene? Think again. Not only does oral upkeep stave off mouth odor, cavities, and gum problems, it’s also linked to life satisfaction and overall happiness Relation of achievement motives, satisfaction with life, happiness and oral health in Romanian university students.Dumitrescu, A.L., Kawamura, M., Dogaru, B.C., et al. Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway. Oral Health and Preventative Dentistry 2010;8(1):15-22. . Maintaining those pearly whites pays off, big time. Not convinced? Take a page from the perils of poor oral hygiene for incentive to maintain a cleaner mouth. Below are six diseases that either contribute to or are affected by neglecting the dentist’s advice.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is — The Takeaway

Caring for those pearly whites (and the bacteria-laden box they inhabit) is crucial for overall health. Beyond yellow stains and icky breath, a dirty mouth can cause or significantly worsen some very serious health concerns.

Here are some tips to protect your body and mind, via your mouth.