How Dental Health and Overall Health are Connected

Taking care of your teeth and gums is important to create a beautiful smile. Not only are you maintaining good oral health, but these habits also decrease the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and more. Consistency with oral hygiene helps with the protection of your teeth as you get older.

In recent years, dental professionals have found that there is also a link between your oral health and overall health. When you have healthy teeth and gums, then it could contribute to reducing the risk of other medical conditions.

Dental Health and Other Health Concerns

On the other hand, unhealthy teeth and gums can increase the risk of other health problems. For example, gum disease is connected to an increase in the risk of:

• Cardiovascular Disease: The risk of stroke and heart attack goes up with chronic inflammation due to gum disease. The bacteria in your mouth can contribute to systemic inflammation, which might also affect the arteries of the heart. Protect your heart by avoiding serious infections in your gums.
• Diabetes Control: Diabetes plays a part in the development of gum disease. At the same time, gum disease could make it more difficult to control the symptoms of diabetes. When infection is present in the body, it increases insulin resistance and affects the control of blood sugar. As a result, gum disease infections can increase the diabetes symptoms that you are experiencing.
• Preterm Labor: Expectant mothers should be extra careful about protecting their oral health. It has been found that gum disease can contribute to an increase in preterm delivery which results in low birth weight. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, it is estimated that as many as 18% of preterm births are connected to oral infections. Dental experts have theorized that the toxins from oral bacteria move through the bloodstream and into the placenta, which affects the fetal development.

As you can see, there are many reasons to stay consistent with daily brushing and flossing habits.

Consistent Dental Exams are Important

Not only do you need to maintain good oral habits at home, but it is also important to maintain regular dental exams if you want to create an environment that fosters optimal health. Working with an experienced dental team helps you avoid some of the common oral health problems that are faced around the world.

The health of your mouth tells a story about your overall health. In fact, it’s been said that the mouth is a ‘window’ that indicates what is going on throughout the rest of your body. Dentists play a part in the early detection of systemic conditions based on the symptoms that are identified in the mouth. Regular dental exams are more than a quick check for cavities. During this checkup, your dentist is also looking for other symptoms that indicate the need for treatments and medical care.

Do you have questions about caring for your teeth and gums? Whether you need dental treatments or it is time for a checkup, our team at myDental is here to assist. We will gladly answer your questions and schedule an appointment for an exam. Choose one of our convenient locations for your appointment: Tech Ridge and Norwood Park.