Dental Care: Why It Affects Your Total Health

DENTAL AND ORAL ISSUES MIGHT EXTEND BEYOND YOUR MOUTH

Each organ in your body can impact other areas, so problems in one area can create a much wider impact. In this article, our group at MINT dentistry in North Arlington discusses the links between your dental and oral health and your complete health. Various studies are in progress across the globe that are attempting to determine how oral health impacts overall health and how overall health can impact oral health. Poor oral health (for example, periodontal disease) can increase your potential for developing heart disease, make it harder to manage blood glucose, and, if you are pregnant, harm the baby's health. Each of these are excellent reasons to make sure you have a suitable oral health regimen at home and set up regular appointments with a dental professional in Arlington, TX.

IN WHAT WAYS CAN YOUR ORAL HEALTH HELP OR HARM YOUR GENERAL HEALTH?
A person's mouth acts as a direct pathway to vital organs, such as the stomach and even the brain. It's no surprise that an infection or inflammation in the oral cavity can easily advance to other areas of your body. Here are a few of the most threatening conditions that may be influenced by your oral health:

• ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
  Researchers are looking at the link between good dental health and stronger cognitive function in the elderly. For women and men who have Alzheimer's disease, they have found a likely link to poor oral health. Alzheimer's disease and poor cognitive ability typically bring on more oral problems, probably because the patient has trouble keeping to his or her home oral care regimen.
• CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS
  There is data that suggests that inflammation in the mouth (generally from periodontal disease) can increase a person's probability of having a heart attack or cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Studies are being done to investigate the idea that bacteria in your mouth can lead to inflammation in the veins.
• PREGNANCY PROBLEMS
  The swings in hormones during pregnancy can put an expecting mother at heightened risk for getting gum disease. Gingivitis during pregnancy causes inflamed gums that tend to bleed. Having late-stage gum disease (periodontitis) while expecting has been shown to correlate with premature delivery and underweight newborns. This is why it's especially important for pregnant women to practice good oral hygiene daily to prevent periodontitis and other oral health problems.
• DIABETES
  People with diabetes would be wise to give extra attention to their oral health to help regulate their insulin levels. Recurring or untreated periodontal disease may make it more strenuous for your body to manage blood sugar. If you have a problem with regulating your blood sugar, schedule an appointment with a dentist in Arlington, TX to figure out if periodontal disease could be part of the difficulty.

CRUCIAL ORAL HEALTH STEPS
There are many ways to strengthen or preserve your oral health and, consequently, your overall health. These begin with a thorough oral hygiene routine at home and going to your dental practitioner in Arlington, TX biannually.

• TEND TO ORAL HEALTH ISSUES ASAP
  In cases where your dentist identifies a problem, be sure to make an appointment right away to get it taken care of. If you develop any symptoms of an oral health problem, like chronic toothaches, inflamed or bleeding gums, or trouble chewing, you should set up an evaluation.
• HAVE DENTAL CLEANINGS BIANNUALLY
  In order to get rid of the plaque and tartar that can accumulate on your teeth, you need to go to your dentist in Arlington, TX no less than twice a year to have a dental cleaning. At your cleanings, your dental practitioner will check your gums and look for other signs of gingivitis (the initial stage of periodontitis).
• SCHEDULE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE ORAL HEALTH EXAMS
  During your yearly oral health evaluation, your dentist will use digital radiography and other technology to look for problems. Early treatment of problems can help you defend against larger issues later. Plus, concerns that are caught early can typically be fixed with simpler, noninvasive procedures.
• FLOSS YOUR TEETH AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY
  Flossing is particularly important in warding off periodontal disease. You need to floss once a day to clean out the plaque and food particles from in between your teeth. To verify you are flossing correctly, ask your dental practitioner or hygienist to show you the most effective way to floss during your next appointment.
• BRUSH A MINIMUM OF TWO TIMES A DAY
  At least two times every day, you should be brushing your teeth for no less than two minutes with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Check that you aren't pressing too aggressively with your toothbrush, because it can wear down your enamel and result in a receding gum line.
• CONSIDER PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
  To enhance the health of your teeth and gums, speak to your hygienist about using preventive options to assist in heading off dental issues. These may include dental sealants, which can defend your back teeth from acquiring cavities, or fluoride mouth rinses to bolster your enamel.
• INFORM YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
  If your usual physician is treating you for diabetes or cardiac disease, he or she needs to be informed of any periodontal issues. Gum disease can have a significant effect on your overall health.
• TELL YOUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
  When visiting your dental practitioner, be direct about your medical history and all of your current conditions. Let him or her know if you have any relatives with heart disease, diabetes, or gum disease. You may be encouraged to come in for oral health evaluations more often than yearly.

IMPROVE YOUR ORAL HEALTH TO BETTER YOUR GENERAL WELL-BEING
Start taking care of your oral health and improve your general health. There is evidence that indicates that swelling and redness and germs in your mouth could be harmful to your overall health, both now and later on. Paying attention to your mouth is a crucial part of your overall well-being, so set up a checkup with a dentist in Arlington, TX to receive an oral health evaluation and dental cleaning. If you need an excellent team of knowledgeable dental practitioners who are able to give preventive care and restorative treatments, call MINT dentistry in North Arlington. We would value the chance to help your whole family attain stunning, healthy smiles at our office in Arlington, TX.