How Oral Health Affects General Health
If you think about it, it makes perfect sense: poor oral health is linked to poor physical health. Your mouth is a key entryway into the rest of the body. If the mouth has a chronic infection or disease, then your entire body may be indirectly or directly exposed to those bacteria.
Research shows connections between periodontal disease and poor cardiovascular health, increased risk of stroke, diabetes, problem pregnancies, respiratory diseases, and osteoporosis in women. What's more, some studies indicate that people who lose all of their natural teeth may have a much shorter life span.
If you want to up your odds of a happy, healthy life, treat your body with respect and put your money (and effort) where your mouth is. Try starting with the basics: learn the latest tips, techniques, and tools for top-notch oral hygiene. Then, branch out: incorporate a healthy diet, exercise, fresh air, and sufficient uninterrupted rest. Eliminate unhealthy habits, and remember, taking care of your teeth can benefit your whole body.
How we can help:
- Oral cancer screenings using Vizilite
- Regular check ups and professional cleanings
- Periodontal assessments for gum disease
- Snore guards for peaceful, rewarding sleep
- Restorative dentistry to eliminate bacteria and maintain tooth structure
- Sealants to deter tooth decay
- Fluoride supplements for healthier teeth
As our patients, your health and wellness are important to us. If you have questions about your oral health and its impact on your general health, please call our office, email us, or schedule a consultation today.
Gum Disease
Maybe It Is Your Problem
It hides in your mouth, destroying gum tissue and teeth, and it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and pregnancy complications. Don’t think it’s your problem? Conservative estimates report that up to 80 percent of the population unknowingly has gum disease in some form.
Seventy percent of adult tooth loss is attributed to gum disease. Recent research shows a link between patients who have gum disease and those who suffer from strokes, heart attacks, or complications with diabetes or pregnancy. Gum disease is silent in that early symptoms may be painless and mild, like swollen gums or bleeding while brushing. Regular dental check ups are vital because a professional can detect, treat, and reverse gum disease in early stages before major problems arise.
Maintaining Good Periodontal Health
Regular dental visits at least every six months allow us to keep a watchful eye on the health of your gums. You should also brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use good mouth rinses at home. We will recommend the products that will optimize your oral homecare, and we can also show you the best methods for brushing and flossing. If you have overcome periodontal disease, we will recommend frequent check ups to ensure your mouth stays healthy for a lifetime.
Women's Oral Health
Do Women need more Dental Attention?
It's official. Women and men are not created dentally equal. Of course, good dental hygiene habits are the same for all people, regardless of gender. But growing evidence shows women may be significantly more susceptible to serious health consequences from poor oral health. Even oral cancer, which used to affect men six times more than women now affects men only two times as often as women. In fact, in every season of a woman's life, special precautions should be taken to preserve oral health.
Puberty and Oral Health
High hormone levels during puberty can result in sensitive gums. Irritation of the gums by plaque and food particles can cause redness and swelling. When this happens, periodontal therapy may help prevent damage to oral tissues. Brushing and flossing after meals will help reduce the cause of irritation. The sensitivity and resulting irritation will lessen as puberty progresses.
Menstruation and Oral Health
Monthly hormone fluctuations and the resulting increased salivary proteins make women prone to bad breath just prior to their monthly cycles. To combat this, brush more diligently, floss more carefully, use a tongue scraper after each meal, and use a chlorine-stabilized alcohol-free mouth rinse every five hours.
Pregnancy and Oral Health
A mother's dental health impacts not only her oral health but the health of her unborn child's developing teeth as early as six weeks after conception. Increases in gingivitis, plaque, and non-cancerous pregnancy “tumors” of the mouth are blamed on surging hormones. Good oral health is essential for women of child bearing age because periodontal disease can result in low-birth-weight-babies or pre-term births. The often painless, silent, and undetected disease affects 800,000 Americans annually, and an estimated 18 percent of low-weight births may be brought on by periodontal disease. Dentists encourage pregnant women to have a thorough cleaning during the first trimester and a short check up in each of the following trimesters.
Older Women and Oral Health
The presence of periodontal disease in women is closely linked to the incidence of osteoporosis, and vice versa. To make matters worse, after 35 years of age, periodontal disease in women is often a precursor to permanent tooth loss. In fact, studies show that half of post-menopausal women of eleven-plus years have lost at least one tooth. Why? Gum disease leads to gum detachment, which can lead to tooth loss; furthermore, tooth loss is linked to overall bone loss. Thus, in addition to vigilant home hygiene, older women should schedule regular dental and medical check ups.
How to Improve Women’s Oral Health
As a woman concerned with her health, how can you reduce the possibility of gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth loss? Regular check ups, daily brushing and flossing, and an extra dental visit whenever you notice a change in your teeth or gums can help. A healthy diet with plenty of vitamin C and B-12, calcium, and vitamin D for calcium absorption will maintain strong oral conditions. As with most diseases and medical conditions, the earlier a problem is detected, the better the chance for successful treatment and full recovery.