Let’s be real—oral hygiene probably isn’t the most exciting part of your wellness routine. Maybe it reminds you of being forced to brush before you could watch TV as a kid, or it summons memories of guilt trips from your dentist about flossing. But here’s the thing: taking care of your mouth goes far beyond fresh breath and a sparkling, white smile. “Everything begins in the mouth,” says Sharon Huang, DDS, MICOI, cosmetic dentist and founder of Les Belles NYC Dentistry, and she’s right.
Your oral health—more specifically, your oral microbiome—is connected to your overall health: think gut, heart, and even skin health. While more research needs to be done, studies show that the bacteria in your mouth can be tied to skin inflammation, like acne, rosacea, and eczema. So yes, brushing, flossing, scraping, and swishing might feel like a chore you just don’t have time for some days, but it’s one of those habits that always pays off. Just like your skincare or haircare routine, oral hygiene deserves a spot in your daily lineup.
