How Oral Health Impacts Overall Health

You should pay attention to your teeth and gums. You may get gum disease or cavities in a very short time. Millions of Americans and people around the world don’t visit the dentist regularly. Other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, can also have an impact on your oral health. These can lead to serious and expensive problems. This is a summary of the relationship between oral health and overall health that you need to be aware of.

Different Types Of Oral Diseases

What is the relationship between oral health, overall health, and dental health? Your mouth is just like other parts of your body. It’s full of bacteria, but most of it is harmless. Your mouth is where it all begins, leading to your digestive and respiratory tracts where disease can easily enter and can cause illness.

Proper Dental Hygiene

The body’s natural defenses, along with good oral hygiene, help keep bacteria under control. Without proper hygiene, bacteria can grow to levels that could lead to tooth decay or gum disease. That’s why brushing and flossing daily basis is so important. You should also take note of the types of medications that you are currently taking as prescribed from your doctor.

How Can Medications Affect Oral Health

Certain medications, such as antihistamines and painkillers, decongestants, diuretics, and antidepressants, can dramatically reduce saliva flow. Saliva is responsible for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids from bacteria in your mouth. This helps protect you against microbes that can multiply and cause disease. This can cause you to get sick, and over the course of time, you can develop even more debilitating conditions.

Dental Health And Alzheimer’s

Research is showing a link between oral health, chronic diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s. This has been confirmed by a growing number of studies. Recent research has revealed some of the mysteries behind Alzheimer’s Disease. This will open the door to new treatments and bridge the gap that has historically separated the dental and medical professions. These findings will be used to lower the risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease or diabetes, particularly as you get older. So what is the key to preventing all of this if possible? It begins with scheduling your checkup.

Schedule Your Checkup

To maintain healthy gums and teeth, the most important thing you can do is to make an appointment to see a dentist. The dentist will examine your teeth and provide you with Xrays. They can also recommend a course of action to fix any issues. Your gums and teeth can also be affected by certain factors that dentists are well-versed in. You can maintain your gum health for many years by following these recommendations and having regular checkups.

Dr. Sawyer should be your primary dentist if you live in the Quincy or Plumas County area. He and his dental team will examine your teeth and make sure they are healthy. You can also check that your gums thoroughly to make sure you have not developed any problems. To schedule your next appointment, if it has been a while since you last visited a dentist, contact Dr. Sawyer’s office today.