Dental Health — How It Influences Your Total Health

DENTAL AND ORAL PROBLEMS COULD POTENTIALLY EXTEND BEYOND YOUR TEETH AND GUMS

Every area of your body can impact other areas, so issues in one area can have a much wider impact. In today's article, our group at MINT dentistry in Cedar Hill goes over the links between your oral health and your overall health. Many studies are in progress across the globe that are seeking to figure out how oral health impacts general health, as well as how overall health can have consequences for oral health. Imperfect oral health (especially periodontal disease) can elevate your chances of ending up with cardiac disease, make it more difficult to manage blood glucose, and, in women who are expecting, impact the baby's health. Every one of these are key reasons to make sure you practice a good oral health system at home and schedule regular appointments with a dental professional in Cedar Hill, TX.

HOW CAN YOUR ORAL HEALTH IMPACT YOUR TOTAL HEALTH?
Your mouth is basically a portal to many vital organs, including the stomach and heart. It's understandable that a disease or inflammation, such as gingivitis, can quickly advance to numerous locations of the body. These are a few of the serious conditions that could be influenced by oral health:

• DIABETES
  Those with diabetes should pay careful attention to their gum health to help regulate their insulin levels. Lingering or untreated gum disease could make it harder for your body to manage blood sugar. In cases where you have trouble managing your diabetes, schedule an evaluation with a dental practitioner in Cedar Hill, TX to see if gum disease could be part of your issue.
• DEMENTIA
  Scientists are exploring the connection between good dental health and stronger cognitive function in older patients. In patients who have Alzheimer's disease, scientists have discovered a likely link to unsatisfactory oral health. Dementia and lessening cognitive function generally lead to more tooth and gum problems, presumably because the patient has trouble keeping to his or her home oral care routine.
• CORONARY DISEASE
  There is data that shows that inflammation in the oral cavity (usually from periodontal disease) can increase a person's probability of having a heart attack or cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Research is underway to investigate the theory that oral bacteria may bring about inflammation in the veins.
• PREGNANCY PROBLEMS
  The variations in hormones during pregnancy can put a woman at greater risk for developing periodontal disease. Gingivitis during pregnancy causes red, swollen gums that tend to bleed. Having late-stage periodontal disease (periodontitis) while expecting has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. It follows that it's particularly important for women to practice good oral hygiene daily to head off periodontal disease and other oral health issues.

KEY ORAL HYGIENE STEPS
You have a lot of things you can do to strengthen or retain your oral health and, in turn, your overall health. These include a good oral hygiene routine at home and visiting your dental practitioner in Cedar Hill, TX bi-annually.

• FLOSS DAILY
  Flossing is extremely important in preventing gum issues. You should floss once a day to remove the plaque and debris from between your teeth. To verify you are flossing properly, ask your dental practitioner or hygienist to demonstrate the best way to floss during your next cleaning.
• GET YEARLY ORAL HEALTH EXAMS
  For your yearly oral health examination, your dental team will use digital radiography and other diagnostic tools to look for problems. Early management of issues should help you defend against bigger problems in the long run. In addition, issues that are caught early can typically be taken care of with simpler, less invasive procedures.
• CONSIDER PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
  To improve your oral health, ask your dentist about having preventive options for added support in preventing dental issues. These might include tooth sealants, which can keep your molars from acquiring cavities, or fluoride mouth rinses to fortify your enamel.
• BRUSH YOUR TEETH A MINIMUM OF TWO TIMES A DAY
  At least twice each day, you need to be cleaning your teeth for at least two minutes with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Make sure you aren't pressing too roughly with the toothbrush, as it can eat away at your enamel and result in a receding gum line.
• SPEAK TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
  When talking to your dentist, be frank regarding your medical history and all of your current conditions. Tell him or her if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or gum disease. You may be asked to come in for oral health examinations more often than one time per year.
• TEND TO ORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS PROMPTLY
  In cases where your dentist identifies an issue, it's key to make an appointment ASAP to have it addressed. If you develop any indications of an oral health issue, such as lingering toothaches, inflamed or bleeding gums, or problems chewing, you should schedule an evaluation.
• TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR ORAL HEALTH
  If your usual physician is treating you for diabetes or heart disease, he or she needs to be told about any oral health issues. Periodontal disease can have a substantial impact on your general health.
• GET PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES PER YEAR
  In order to eliminate the plaque and tartar that will often collect on your teeth, it's essential that you see your dentist in Cedar Hill, TX a minimum of two times a year to undergo a professional cleaning. As part of your cleanings, your dental practitioner will check your gums and check for other signs of gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease).

IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HEALTH TO ENHANCE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
Begin paying attention to your teeth and gums and strengthen your whole body. Researchers have evidence that shows that swelling and redness and bacteria in your mouth can be harmful to your general health, both currently and in the future. Paying attention to your mouth is a crucial part of your general wellbeing, so plan a visit with a dental practitioner in Cedar Hill, TX to get an oral health evaluation and dental cleaning. When you need an excellent team of knowledgeable dental professionals who provide preventive care in addition to restorative treatments, visit MINT dentistry in Cedar Hill. We would be delighted to help you and your family maintain beautiful, healthy smiles at our location in Cedar Hill, TX.