We discuss here, Dental Health Is Not Only About Your Mouth. Regular dental checkups help in getting a great smile and optimum dental health. In addition, regular visits to the dentist informs you about your general health and whether you develop certain diseases such as diabetes. Current research claims that the health of your mouth is an indicator of the state of your body’s health in general.
For example, when your dental health is on par, your general health is likely to be good as well. Alternatively, if your dental health is poor, there may be underlying issues. Studies show that good oral health can prevent certain diseases. Dentists can discover clues to your general health while examining your mouth and gums.
Gum disease and health problems
The Academy of General Dentistry AGD believes there is a link between gum disease and health difficulties such as heart disease and stroke. In fact, women with periodontal disease appear to have higher rates of preterm, low-birth-weight babies.
Other studies show that more than 90% of all diseases that affect multiple organs or the whole body have oral symptoms, including mouth sores, severe gum problems, dry mouth, and swollen gums.
These dental health symptoms can be symptoms of heart disease, kidney disease, pancreatic cancer, oral cancer, leukemia, and diabetes. Since most people have regular oral health checks, your dentist may be the first to notice and diagnose any health problems in their early stages.
Dental health and bacteria
The mouth is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. However, most of them are not harmful. However, too many bacteria can cause various health problems. Keeping your mouth clean and brushing and flossing your teeth is the best way to reduce and control the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
If harmful bacteria are not controlled, your dental health will suffer by paving the way for cavities and gum disease. Your dentist will check for any signs of tooth decay during your visit. Excess bacteria inside the mouth can lead to problems in the mouth as well as getting into the bloodstream, where further damage can occur. Dental Health Is Not Only About Your Mouth
What should you do
Visiting your dentist regularly will help keep your mouth healthy. In addition, this allows the dentist to monitor developments that may lead to other health complications. A dental health checkup can also detect poor hygiene and nutrition, incorrect jaw alignment, and developmental problems. By providing your dentist with your complete medical history and informing them of any current health developments, even if they seem to be unrelated to your oral health, you are helping to keep your overall health in check. Dental Health Is Not Only About Your Mouth
Here are the ways you can practice good dental hygiene:
- Organizing regular dental exams
- Avoid tobacco and smokeless cigarettes, both of which are linked to oral cancer and gum disease.
- Providing nutrients to your body through a healthy diet, especially vitamins C and A, to counter gum disease.
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for two to three minutes
- Floss your teeth every day to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach
