Learn how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your overall health. Your oral health is more important than you think. Make the most of your smile by keeping it in good shape. By maintaining careful and consistent oral hygiene, you'll keep gum disease, tooth decay, and other issues at bay, and create a beautiful smile in the process.
The Academy of General Dentistry states that there is a significant relationship between gum disease and other health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Good oral health can actually prevent other diseases. Dentists and medical professionals agree that the vast majority of systemic diseases, that is, those that affect several organs or the entire body, manifest themselves in the mouth. Read on to learn more about the role your oral health plays in whole-body health and the steps you can take to preserve your dental well-being.
In addition to complications for teeth and gums, research has linked periodontal disease to other health problems, such as heart complications, strokes, complications of diabetes, and respiratory problems. Tell your dentist about the medications you take and about changes in your general health, especially if you have been ill recently or if you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes. Good dental health is a combination of proper daily maintenance (brushing and flossing) along with regular visits to your dental professional. It's also best to schedule regular dental checkups every six months to ensure good oral health and hygiene.
During a dental checkup, your dentist will always want to know if flossing is still part of your oral hygiene routine. While some patients are happy to participate in their oral health, others find frequent considerations of cleanliness and low sugar frustrating. Systemic diseases, such as diabetes, often begin to manifest as an injury to the mouth or other dental problems, such as a gum infection. Normally, the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control.
Dental problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can affect your ability to eat and speak properly, causing pain and bad breath.
