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Posted on 4/10/2018 by Office - Boone DMD |
 For years, reports have been showing that what is going on in our mouths can very much affect the rest of the body. Our mouths are home to many types of bacteria and most of them will cause no harm. Proper oral hygiene keeps the bacteria growth down. If, however, if our oral care is poor, bacteria numbers can grow and negatively affect our mouths and even reach our bloodstreams, causing many different health issues. Saliva is a natural protectant to clean up excess bacteria, but some medications can reduce its flow, exacerbating any problems that may be starting. How the Two Link upThere are diseases that seem to both cause problems in our oral health and also be caused by oral health problems. Diabetes is reciprocal in that having a hard time controlling blood sugar can be caused by gum disease and then being diabetic lowers our body's infection resistance.Treating periodontal disease reduces the need for insulin and controlling diabetes improves the condition of the mouth nearly immediately. With diabetes becoming more and more prevalent in our society, taking care of our teeth just makes sense, especially if you are already at risk. Other diseases that have been shown to be linked to our dental health are cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease and endocarditis, to name a few. Periodontitis has even been known to cause low birth weight and premature birth in pregnant women. Regular checkups and treating any potential gum disease are even more important during pregnancy for this reason. Also, smoking and other tobacco use are a big cause of tooth loss and increases the smoker's risk for cancers of the mouth and lungs, heart disease and emphysema. It's simple, really. Take care of your mouth and all of its inhabitants (teeth, gums, and tongue) and you lessen the impact that dangerous bacteria have on your overall health. Call our office today to schedule either a regular cleaning or to address any issues that could end up affecting your whole body. |
