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What Is the Connection between Health and Personal Hygiene?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

The connection between health and personal hygiene can be direct or indirect. For example, brushing one’s teeth on a twice-daily basis can help prevent infections that can be fatal if not treated. On the other hand, hand washing lessens the amount of germs on a person’s hands and helps prevent the spreading of those germs, leading to a safer and healthier environment for everyone nearby. Another example of the connection between health and personal hygiene is how hair products can lead to acne or irritation rashes.

Cleaning one’s teeth is very important, but statistics indicate that few people brush their teeth as often or as long as they should. People who have poor oral hygiene can develop a gum disease that eventually leaves them without teeth. An oral disease can also affect the bones of the jaw or lead to infection. It is possible for people to die from an infected tooth or gum, so this connection between health and personal hygiene is directly linked. Aside from brushing and flossing regularly, it is generally recommended that people visit their dentist every six months for a checkup.

Frequent hand washing is a cornerstone of proper hygiene.
Frequent hand washing is a cornerstone of proper hygiene.

Frequent hand washing helps prevent the spread of germs that make people sick. Sometimes hand washing is also required by law, which is usually the case for people who handle food at work. Proper hand washing consists of using warm water and soap while gently scrubbing the hands together for at least 30 seconds. Specialized brushes can be employed to deal with dirt and germs that often get trapped underneath the fingernails. The hands should be dried on a clean cloth, and in some cases the person should try not to touch anything besides what he or she washed his or hands for, such as food.

It is important to have good oral hygiene to avoid oral diseases that can lead to infection.
It is important to have good oral hygiene to avoid oral diseases that can lead to infection.

A person’s hair products and grooming methods can affect his or her skin health. For example, many hair products rub against the skin when applied to long hair, causing acne by clogging pores or producing rashes if the person’s skin is irritated by the product. Keeping the hair away from the face can help relieve these problems, but so can choosing products more carefully or applying them less frequently. Sometimes applying the product to only certain areas of the hair that usually do not come into contact with the skin often also helps. Due to these connections between health and personal hygiene, hair care can be very important, especially if a person has long hair and sensitive skin.

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    • Frequent hand washing is a cornerstone of proper hygiene.
      By: Vladimir Voronin
      Frequent hand washing is a cornerstone of proper hygiene.
    • It is important to have good oral hygiene to avoid oral diseases that can lead to infection.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      It is important to have good oral hygiene to avoid oral diseases that can lead to infection.
    • Using shampoo and conditioner helps to keep the scalp healthy.
      By: EuToch
      Using shampoo and conditioner helps to keep the scalp healthy.
    • Scrubbing with soap during a shower helps keep skin healthy.
      By: red2000
      Scrubbing with soap during a shower helps keep skin healthy.
    • Failing to properly care for teeth and gums can lead to infection or even contribute to heart disease and diabetes.
      By: Johnny Lye
      Failing to properly care for teeth and gums can lead to infection or even contribute to heart disease and diabetes.
    • Regular flossing can help keep teeth and gums healthy.
      By: Steve Morvay
      Regular flossing can help keep teeth and gums healthy.
    • Using hand pump soap dispensers instead of bar soap can help against the spread of germs.
      By: Africa Studio
      Using hand pump soap dispensers instead of bar soap can help against the spread of germs.
    • Regularly using mouthwash can help prevent oral diseases.
      By: Matthew Cole
      Regularly using mouthwash can help prevent oral diseases.
    • A person should cover their face when sneezing to prevent the spread of germs.
      By: roboriginal
      A person should cover their face when sneezing to prevent the spread of germs.
    • Good personal hygiene can minimize the occurrence of breakouts and promote healthy skin.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Good personal hygiene can minimize the occurrence of breakouts and promote healthy skin.