How Your Oral and Overall Health are Connected
Taking care of your teeth and gums and keeping routine dental appointments is the best way to keep your smile healthy and beautiful, but there are additional benefits to maintaining ideal oral health.
When you see your dentist regularly, they can detect certain signs that may indicate underlying health issues. Also, when you care for your teeth and gums, you are ridding your mouth of potentially harmful bacteria that can travel to other areas of your body and cause systemic illness.
Your Dental Care as a Health Screening
When performing an oral exam, dentists also take note of any possible signs of systemic disease that can appear in the mouth. The dentist will discuss any findings, such as suspicious sores, spots in soft tissue, and discoloration of the tongue that may need to be addressed and make a recommendation for you to see your primary care physician or a specialist.
Some conditions that your dentist may be able to spot include:
Stress – Worn teeth are a telltale sign of teeth grinding, which is often linked to stress.
Diabetes – Gum disease that is resistant to treatment or progresses rapidly could be evidence that a patient has diabetes. Ongoing studies show a cyclical relationship between these two concerns, as diabetics are prone to developing periodontal issues.
Premature Labor – Gum disease produces enzymes that are similar to those released during labor and can trigger early delivery.
Oral Cancer – Dentists are trained to spot suspicious lesions, particularly those that could be indicative of oral cancer.
Heart and Lung Disease – In the case of severe gum disease, your heart and lungs should be examined as there is a correlation between the bacteria that cause decay and gum disease and the risk of cardiac and respiratory infection.
A Look at Decay and the Bacteria that Cause It
Poor oral health can also directly affect other parts of the body. Bacteria originating in the oral cavity can be especially potent and feed off the carbohydrates and sugars that are left behind after eating and drinking.
When these bacteria are allowed to grow unchecked, they can enter the body by being inhaled, or through small breaks in your gums or other soft tissues of the mouth. These are generally a direct result of inadequate brushing and flossing and can be aggravated by systemic illness.
Understanding the relationship between oral and overall health makes going to the dentist even more important. Proper dental care should be considered an essential step in ensuring the preservation of your total well-being and your smile.
If you are in need of a dentist in La Habra who takes a comprehensive approach to treatment, give the office of Dr. Patrick O’ Connor a call today.