Dental Care And Why It Affects Your Total Health
ORAL HEALTH ISSUES CAN AFFECT MORE THAN YOUR TEETH AND GUMS
Every organ in the human body can impact other areas, so issues in one area can cause a far-reaching impact. In today's blog, our team at MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands goes over the connections between your dental and oral health and your complete health. Multiple studies are being conducted across the globe that are trying to figure out how oral health affects overall health, as well as how general health can have consequences for oral health. Low oral health (in particular periodontal disease) can increase your chances of ending up with cardiovascular disease, make it more challenging to control diabetes, and in pregnant women, impact the infant's health. All of these are great reasons to ensure you have a good oral health system at home and plan twice-yearly visits with a dental practitioner in Dallas, TX.
HOW CAN YOUR TEETH AND GUMS HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR TOTAL HEALTH?
A person's mouth can be seen as a gateway to the heart, stomach, and other vital organs. It's no surprise that a disease or inflammation of the teeth or gums can quickly advance to diverse locations of the body. Here are a few of the most threatening conditions that may be influenced by your oral health:
- DIABETES
People with diabetes would be wise to give extra attention to their oral health to help regulate their blood sugar levels. Lingering or untreated periodontal disease may make it more difficult for your body to regulate blood sugar. In cases where you have a problem with managing your blood sugar, set up a checkup with a dentist in Dallas, TX to figure out if gum disease might be part of the issue. - PREGNANCY CONCERNS
The swings in hormones during gestation can put a woman at higher risk for having gum disease. Pregnancy gingivitis causes inflamed gums that are prone to bleeding. Having advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis) while expecting has been linked to early delivery and low birth weight. So, it's critical for pregnant women to practice good oral hygiene daily to defend against gum disease and other oral health concerns. - CORONARY PROBLEMS
Scientists have data that shows that swelling in the mouth (usually from gum disease) can elevate someone's potential for having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. Studies are underway to examine the theory that bacteria in your mouth can trigger swelling in the arteries. - ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Scientists are exploring the link between good oral health and greater cognitive function in older patients. For women and men with Alzheimer's disease, there is a likely link to unsatisfactory oral health. Alzheimer's disease and poor cognitive ability frequently bring on more tooth and gum problems, presumably because the person has difficulty maintaining their home oral care routine.
CRUCIAL ORAL HYGIENE FACTORS
There are several things you can do to upgrade or keep up your oral health, and subsequently, your overall health. These begin with a diligent oral hygiene system at home and going to your dentist in Dallas, TX twice a year.
- BRUSH A MINIMUM OF TWICE PER DAY
At minimum two times every day, you need to be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Be careful that you aren't pressing too aggressively with your toothbrush since this can erode your enamel and cause a receding gumline. - HAVE DENTAL CLEANINGS TWICE A YEAR
In order to get rid of the plaque and tartar that will often collect on your teeth, it's essential that you go to your dentist in Dallas, TX at least two times a year to have a dental cleaning. At these cleanings, your dentist will examine your gum pockets and look for other signs of gingivitis (the beginning stage of gum disease). - TELL YOUR GENERAL PRACTITIONER ABOUT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
If your doctor is treating you for blood sugar issues or heart disease, he or she needs to know about any oral health problems. Periodontal disease can have a considerable influence on your general health. - CONSIDER PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
To boost the health of your teeth and gums, speak to your dentist about using preventive treatments to assist in preventing dental issues. These could include tooth sealants, which help keep your molars from acquiring cavities, or fluoride mouth rinses to harden your enamel. - HAVE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE ORAL HEALTH EXAMS
At your annual oral health assessment, your dental team will use digital x-rays and other diagnostic technology to check for issues. Early diagnosis of problems will help you prevent more concerning problems down the road. In addition, problems that are detected early can generally be handled with simpler, less invasive procedures. - SPEAK TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
When speaking to your dental practitioner, be straightforward about your medical history and any existing conditions. Tell him or her if you have any relatives with heart disease, diabetes, or gum disease. You may need to set up oral health examinations more often than yearly. - TEND TO ORAL HEALTH ISSUES ASAP
In the event that your dentist spots an issue, be sure to schedule an appointment ASAP to get it addressed. If you have any symptoms of an oral health issue, particularly chronic toothaches, inflamed or bleeding gums, or difficulty chewing, you need to arrange an appointment. - FLOSS DAILY
Flossing your teeth is particularly important in defending against gum disease. You ought to floss once a day to clean out the plaque and debris from between your teeth. To check that you are flossing properly, ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate the proper way to floss during your next cleaning.
UPGRADE YOUR ORAL HEALTH TO ELEVATE YOUR TOTAL WELL-BEING
Begin taking care of your oral health and improve your whole body. There is evidence to suggest that swelling and redness and germs in your mouth can be damaging to your general health, both currently and long-term. Paying attention to your mouth is a crucial part of your general well-being, so set up a checkup with a dental practitioner in Dallas, TX to receive an oral health assessment and professional cleaning. When you need an excellent team of experienced dental practitioners who provide preventive care, as well as restorative treatments, visit MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands. We would be happy to help your whole family attain radiant, healthy teeth at our office in Dallas, TX.