"Brush your teeth and floss twice a day" іs an old proverb that everyone knows by now, yet many still don't understand that oral health gives us insight into overall wellbeing.
Gum disease has been linked with diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy complications; yet fortunately, it's highly preventable.
Our team (Holland Landing Dental) оf dental professionals іs committed tо helping you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. We offer a wide range оf services, including routine checkups, cleanings, and treatments for various dental conditions.
Your mouth is a window to your overall health
Good oral health allows you to eat, speak and smile without discomfort or embarrassment. It encompasses your teeth, gums, palate, lips, salivary glands and complex network of muscles and nerves that support essential functions such as chewing and swallowing (18).
Poor oral health can be an indicator of nutritional deficiencies or general infection. Systemic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, often first present themselves through oral symptoms.
Furthermore, bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and travel directly to the lungs, where they cause inflammation that can lead to serious respiratory conditions like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oral health has been linked with mental wellbeing; those with healthy teeth and gums typically report lower stress levels and higher self-esteem (19).
Tooth decay
Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. By brushing and flossing regularly, these organisms remain harmless; however, if left alone they may travel into other systems in your body such as digestive and respiratory tracts and cause disease.
Tooth decay starts when food high in sugar adheres to the surfaces of your teeth and bacteria digest it, producing acid that attacks their surface and eventually causes holes known as cavities to appear in them.
Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to serious health complications including gum disease (periodontitis), heart disease and pregnancy complications. Furthermore, poor oral health increases your risk for cognitive decline as you age - thus the importance of practicing good hygiene habits and visiting the dentist on an ongoing basis for maintaining good oral health.
Gum disease
The mouth is its own microcosm, with specific bacteria inhabiting each person's unique oral microbiome. According to scientists, oral health plays a critical role in overall body wellness.
Gingivitis, which presents itself with red and swollen gums, should never be ignored as it can progress to periodontitis and lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Studies suggest that germs from the mouth may enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, including lungs, potentially leading to pneumonia. Other research links gum disease with heart disease, clogged arteries and even dementia.
As soon as severe gum disease arises, it's critical that assistance be sought, whether through nonsurgical treatment that curbs bacterial growth or surgical restoration of supportive tissues. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers information on where you can obtain low-cost dental care; many dental or hygiene schools also operate clinics offering care based on ability to pay.
Oral cancer
Health depends on many aspects, with oral hygiene playing an essential part. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums reduces your risk for serious illnesses like cancer and diabetes while simultaneously improving speech, chewing ability and the expression of emotions with confidence.
Many risk factors, like age or family history, are unchangeable; however, others such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can be managed.
Regular dental visits are essential in protecting against oral cancer and other oral health problems, and may help lower one's risk of nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP).
Heart disease
Researchers have recently discovered a correlation between heart disease and oral health issues. That's because inflammation plays a part in both.
Maintaining good dental health is crucial to overall body wellness. Be sure to brush and floss regularly, eat a balanced diet and limit sugary and acidic food and beverages from entering your system.
Oral diseases are typically preventable and treatable through inexpensive care, so the Department of Health supports strategies to increase access to dental services. Regular preventive dental visits will allow you to catch problems early before they progress into more serious health issues. Furthermore, DOH works towards supporting data collection efforts which allow us to monitor trends related to oral health issues more closely.
