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Now is the time to understand the importance of good oral hygiene. That's because your oral health is connected to an array of other health conditions that go beyond your mouth. The first signs of disease often show up in your mouth. In fact, if your oral health is poor, then you may develop other health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Regular visits to your dentist combined with good brushing and flossing is the first step to achieving good total body health. The Connection Certain medical conditions of the mouth are directly related to medical conditions of the body. Regular dental visits are important to maintaining a healthy oral lifestyle and to controlling infections from developing elsewhere in the body. The following are medical conditions, viruses and diseases that have an oral-systemic connection include: * AIDS
* Autoimmune Conditions
* Diabetes
* Heart Disease
* Human Papilloma Virus
* Pancreatic Cancer
* Stroke Taking good care of your teeth and gums presents a number of health benefits. It allows you to achieve a stunning smile, and it plays an important role in your general health and well-being. In fact, recent studies have shown that oral diseases are directly linked with our quality of life and total body health. This alone should be enough to make you think twice about skipping a routine appointment to your West Chester dentist. Diabetes and Your Oral Health An estimated 12 to 14 million people in the United States are diabetic. Studies show that diabetics are more susceptible to the development of oral infections and periodontal disease. If you are diabetic, you may experience a diminished salivary flow and a sensation of burning mouth or tongue. With this, incidences of tooth decay are more prevalent. Proper dental care and insulin control are necessary for diabetics to avoid gum disease. If your blood sugar is not under control, you should talk to your dentist about receiving proper dental care. It is important to be aware of your blood sugar levels to keep your teeth and gums strong. In addition, you should have your triglyceride and cholesterol levels checked regularly because these may have a direct correlation to the development of periodontal disease. Heart Disease and Your Oral Health One of the main connections between oral health and systemic health is with the health of your heart. Chronic gum disease can lead to the development of heart disease because your mouth is the pathway to the rest of your body. Studies show that oral health can provide warning signs for other diseases or conditions, including heart disease and it can be identified through a visit to your dentist. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, 80 percent of Americans suffer from gum disease. Signs of gum disease include bleeding or swollen gums, bad breath, sores in your mouth, and several other symptoms. By brushing and flossing regularly, in addition to frequent visits to your dentist, you can help to prevent gum disease. Protect your mouth and you can help protect the development of other systemic health issues related to your oral health. Maintain regular dental visits with your West Chester dentist and you can remain on the right track to a healthy smile and body.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Jeffrey Penfil, West Chester laser dentist, who has been a solo practitioner since 1992. Focusing on prevention and treating the person as a whole, not just the mouth, Dr. Penfil is committed to providing optimum dental care for every patient with procedures such as dental implants in West Chester.
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