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Did you know that the health of your mouth directly relates to your overall health? Research continues to show that there is a direct correlation between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. With these studies revealing a close connection, patients should recognize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene to not only help manage periodontal disease, but to also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions. Alzheimer's Disease Good dental health can make eating and digesting food easier for an Alzheimer's patient, improving the overall quality of life. People may be able to prevent, or at least delay, Alzheimer's by preventing periodontal (gum) disease, among other healthy lifestyle modifications such as increasing exercise and drinking fruit and vegetable juice. Though family history may pre-determine a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's, various habits started early in life may help delay the onset of the disease. Regular dental visits are important for the prevention of gum disease. Your dentist can remove tartar, which is a buildup of plaque that can irritate the gums, leading to tooth loss. Although your dentist can detect early signs of gum disease, prevention should begin at home. Diabetes and Your Oral Health Studies have shown that an estimated 12 to 14 million people with diabetes in the United States are more susceptible to the development of oral infections and periodontal disease. Oral infections tend to be more severe in diabetic patients than non-diabetic. Diabetics who receive proper dental care and control their insulin stand a better change of avoiding gum disease. Proper oral health should be maintained in order to prevent oral infections. If your blood sugar is not under control, you should talk with both your dentist and physician about receiving proper dental care. Dental procedures should be as short and stress-free as possible, which makes morning appointments ideal because blood glucose levels tend to be under control at this time of the day. The Importance of Oral Health Regular visits to your dentist can do more than keep your smile attractive. These regular visits can tell your dentist a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you are developing a disease such as diabetes. With the health of your mouth mirroring the health of your body as a whole, it is more important than ever to take extra care of your teeth and gums. Research has shown that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations. These systemic diseases include: • Diabetes
• Leukemia
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease Visiting your dentist regularly helps to keep your mouth in tip-top shape, allowing your dentist to watch for various developments that may trigger other health issues. A dental examination can also detect poor nutrition and hygiene, growth and development problems, and improper jaw alignment. Provide your dentist with a complete medical and dental history, as well as information on any recent health developments, even if they seem unrelated to your oral health. Contact your dentist in Aurora today for a dental checkup in order to maintain optimum oral health and overall health.
Sean Hartmen writes for experienced Aurora dentist, Dr. Samaan. Dr. Samaan provides quality dental care for patients in Aurora, IL and the surrounding areas, including Aurora Invisalign, dental implants, veneers, and other cosmetic dental procedures.
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