Overstating the importance of dental health is impossible. The state of a person's mouth is directly linked to their overall well-being. The mouth is just another part of the body, so keeping it healthy promotes good health in other areas.
Here are five reasons why making oral health a priority is essential:
People dealing with gum disease are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. According to the American Dental Association, people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack as those with healthy gums.
Gum disease is often caused by extended exposure of the gums to bacteria. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body, leading to cardiovascular issues. This inflammation is also responsible for the increased risk of heart disease. A good dentist will ask questions about a patient's medical and family history as it relates to heart disease when gum disease is detected.
Having good oral hygiene becomes even more critical when a patient is pregnant. Women with poor oral health are more likely to have pre-term deliveries and low birth weight infants.
Children being born with less than average weights or prematurely tend to have a higher risk of developmental problems and complications like asthma, behavioral difficulties, and ear infections. Pregnant women should make their oral health a priority to avoid this.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease. Conversely, those with gum disease are more likely to develop diabetes. Since gum disease is an infection, it limits the body's ability to process glucose in the bloodstream. The body's natural reaction to the bacteria that causes gum diseases can also increase insulin resistance, thus increasing the person's blood sugar levels.
Regular dental checkups are an essential part of oral hygiene, and this also gives dentists an opportunity to detect severe issues like oral cancer in their early stages. A precancerous lesion is often hard to identify since it does not come with any symptoms. However, dentists have lots of specialized training and tools that help them to detect even the tiniest lesions in the patient's mouth.
Oral cancer is entirely treatable in its early stages, but only about 50 percent of people diagnosed with it live longer than five years due to the tumor not being detected early on.
Brushing the teeth sends a signal to a person's brain that mealtime is over. That can be helpful to those who have difficulty practicing portion control. Brushing keeps the mouth clean and fresh, but it also reduces the person's appetite, mainly when a minty toothpaste is used. That is one of the reasons why it is so rare to find people who enjoy eating immediately after brushing.
Want to learn more about oral hygiene? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today!
Call (408) 676-5321 today to reach Dennis Baik, DDS.
Dental health remains as important as ever during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, you should still make your oral health a priority. The good news is that there are a few ways to maintain your dental health. A diet of nutritious foods and good oral hygiene are both ways to keep your teeth healthy. Keep reading…
Wondering how to remove oral bacteria so you can have better oral hygiene? It really is a good idea for you to do everything possible to support your good oral health. When you take good care of your teeth and gums, you will not have to think about and choose one or more of the…
Probiotics are good bacteria that are popular for their contributions to healthy digestion; however, scientists are starting to believe they contribute to dental health, too. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not endorsed the medical use of oral probiotics, many studies have shown that probiotics can help your dental health.Our mouth contains different…
Maintaining your oral health throughout your life is important. It becomes even more important if challenges arise that may significantly impact your oral health, like certain medical conditions.At every stage of our lives as humans, there is always the need for us to ensure that we take good care of ourselves. This need becomes more…
People who are considering this treatment option should know exactly why people love it.
It is important to understand that implant supported dentures do require a time commitment and…
Find out if your child should be wearing a mouth guard while playing sports.
Patients will take medications that will push them into a near unconscious or fully unconscious…
Consulting with a dentist about replacing a missing tooth is not much different than a…
Deep cleanings are usually performed three to four times a year at the dental office.