Oral health is vital to the health of your overall body.
Practicing good oral hygiene is vital to keeping your mouth and teeth healthy, but did you know that poor oral health can affect your overall health too? Gum Disease is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world and is linked to multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, premature birth, and various autoimmune disorders. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups can help you keep on top of conditions like gingivitis and enhance your oral and overall health.
How Poor Oral Health Can Affect Your Overall Health
Research has shown that there is a significant link between oral health and overall wellness. The mouth is a great breeding ground for infection and inflammation in the mouth may enable bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This can have a serious impact on other parts of the body, especially the heart.
Some common conditions associated with poor oral health include:
- Endocarditis–This infection of the inner lining of the heart occurs when bacteria from other areas of the body are spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart.
- Cardiovascular problems—According to some research, heart disease, blocked arteries, and stroke may be linked to inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria entering the bloodstream.
- Issues with pregnancy and birth—Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. If you are experiencing gum problems while pregnant, make sure to see your dentist more often.
How Certain Conditions may Affect Your Oral Health
Although poor oral health can cause or exacerbate certain conditions, it can also be an indicator of underlying health problems such as:
Diabetes–Diabetes decreases the body’s ability to fight infection, which can put your oral health at risk. People with gum disease may have a more difficult time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular periodontal care can help you control your diabetes and keep infection at bay.
HIV/AIDS–Complications such as mucosal lesions can be found in people infected with HIV/AIDS.
Osteoporosis—Bone and tooth loss is also linked to osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle and weak. A side effect of some medicines used to treat osteoporosis includes damage to the bones of the jaw.
Alzheimer’s disease—Many patients with Alzheimer’s suffer a decline in oral health as the disease progresses.
Cancer—Certain studies have shown that loose teeth, bone loss, gum disease, and oral lesions can be an indicator of not only oral and head and neck cancers, but other types of cancer as well.
Talk with Your St. Petersburg Dentist about Your Oral Health
Seeing your dentist regularly and talking with them about any concerns you have about your mouth’s health can help keep your mouth in tip-top shape and enhance your overall wellness. If you are suffering from gum disease, they may recommend gentle dental treatment such as a “deep cleaning” or laser dentistry. Scheduling regular checkups gives your dentist provides an opportunity to detect problems before they become more serious and begin to affect your overall health. Eating a balanced diet and practicing a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash also helps to prevent decay, infection, periodontitis, and other conditions.
Contact Dr. Ferullo for Gentle Dental in St. Petersburg
If you are suffering from dental problems, seeing a dentist right away can improve your oral and overall health. Call Dr. Ferullo at 727-822-8101 to schedule an appointment with a St. Petersburg Dentist and find out how our St. Petersburg gentle dental services can help.
