Taking care of your oral health can be a critical component to an overall happy body. Just like your dentist has been telling you for years, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly not only keeps your teeth and gums healthy but helps keep bacteria in your mouth from getting to out of control.
But what if your oral health was not only an indicator as to how well your teeth and gums are doing but your body as a whole as well?
Dentist and doctors have known for a long time that a proper diagnosis of your oral health can identify future diseases or problems that may emerge. For example, poor oral health can lead to cardiovascular diseases and problems with the heart.
Bacteria that start in the mouth from gum disease or periodontitis can leak through the bloodstream, infiltrating and infecting the heart and its arteries. In fact, when your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque from your teeth, they are especially careful to not allow the plaque to slip away as it can cause heart attacks or even a stroke if it enters the brain! Who would have thought that a little piece of plaque could be so dangerous?
Many people may also be surprised to know that diabetics are especially prone to oral health issues. Oral infections can make insulin levels skyrocket and infections in the mouth more difficult to control.
Because of the inherent nature of AIDS and the effects that it has on the autoimmune system, lesions or sores may appear frequently with people who are infected. Many people that are diagnosed with AIDS often see their doctor initially because of problems with their oral health.
Women that are thinking about becoming pregnant may want to go to their dentist and determine the condition of their oral health ahead of time. Women that have had problems in the past with periodontitis should especially be concerned as these infections can spread to the amniotic fluid and cause premature births and other defects.
It is completely normal to have a certain level of bacteria in your mouth but making sure they don't get completely out of control can be an important step to good oral health.
Dentist and doctors are still conducting studies that are done exclusively to determine how oral health affects the rest of the body. Considering the mouth is basically a gateway to the body, proper oral health is important for anyone. Inspect your teeth and gums regularly intertwined with frequent visits to your dentist.
|
