Bingham Farms’ Top Dentist Explains How Oral Health is Whole-Body Health

From the time we are children, we’ve had it drilled into our heads that proper dental care is extremely important, though the reason why centers mostly around avoiding cavities and bad breath. The truth is that oral health, including Bingham Farms family dentistry, is much more important than many people realize because taking good care of your teeth and gums has a tremendous impact on your overall health.

Each year, more and more studies are released showing the links between a person’s oral health and certain diseases and conditions. Jamestowne South Dental and the team at Perfecting Your Smile want to be sure patients understand the far-reaching risks of not taking care of their teeth, while also offering a wide range of services that will help you in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Conditions That Are Linked to Oral Health

There are many conditions and diseases for which poor oral health can have an impact. These include:

  • Endocarditis. This is an infection of the inner lining in your heart chambers and valves, and bacteria from gum disease can spread from your mouth to your bloodstream and attach to these certain areas of the heart.
  • Cardiovascular disease. Some studies are starting to suggest that oral bacteria can also cause inflammation and infections that make clogged arteries or strokes more likely.
  • Pregnancy. Studies show that gum disease in pregnant women can play a role in premature births and low birth weight.
  • Pneumonia. Bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into the lungs and therefore cause pneumonia and other pulmonary and respiratory diseases.

Furthermore, there are some conditions where the converse is true. The following are a few examples of conditions that can impact your oral health:

  • Diabetes. Because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, it can put your gums at higher risk of disease.
  • HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, most notably painful mucosal lesions, are common among people who have contracted HIV or AIDS.
  • Osteoporosis. Because osteoporosis weakens the bones, it should be no surprise that it can lead to increased tooth loss and tooth decay. Furthermore, certain medications used to treat osteoporosis can sometimes carry a risk of damage to the jawbone.
  • Alzheimer’s disease. Worsening oral health is often a side effect of advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

How You Can Protect Oral Health

We all want to remain healthy, so it’s a relief in some ways that we have some control over these conditions in that we can simply take better care of our teeth. That isn’t a cure-all, obviously, but if it can help keep these problems at bay, all the better! Remember to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss daily, and to use mouthwash to remove any leftover particles of food after brushing.

Furthermore, don’t forget your biannual checkups for deep dental cleanings and so Jamestowne South Dental can keep an eye out for any of the aforementioned problems. We want to help you stay healthy, both in terms of oral health and your overall health!