We all know our whole body is interconnected. This means our skeletal system is, in one way or another, connected to our muscular system, endocrine system, etc. This interconnection also applies to our dental and overall health.
Your dental health does not only refer to the care of your teeth. It also covers the care of your tongue, gums, and entire mouth, which are essential to your overall health. So, taking care of your dental health is equivalent to your overall health, as they are all connected. Do you want to know more about how oral health affects your overall health?
Don’t worry. Dr. Martin, your University Charlotte area dentist, compiled everything you need to know about your oral and overall health.
Why Is Your Oral Health Important?
It is essential to make your oral health one of your top priorities. One of the first things people tend to notice about a person is the smile. Your smile should be the best, and one of the ways you can ensure this is to take good care of your oral health.
Good oral health can give you a healthy smile, get rid of tooth decay and diseases, and prevent other overall health problems. You have to cultivate good oral hygiene to make your oral health top-notch. Good oral hygiene can help you prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.
Establishing good oral health is essential to maintaining and achieving overall emotional and physical well-being. Cultivating good oral hygiene and maintaining good oral health will also improve your overall health. You can visit your dentist for regular checkups and treatment to keep your oral health in check.
Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
Your oral health and overall health are connected. There are certain complications to your oral health that can affect your overall health. Various oral diseases, from dental cavities to oral cancers, have a severe impact on the body.
This impact does not stop at the teeth or mouth but also progresses to other parts of the body, causing pain and discomfort to many people. Oral health, especially periodontal diseases, has been linked to various chronic diseases like heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes. The effect of this oral disease can wear on your overall health, which is why you need to pay attention to your oral health.
Aside from being the cause of chronic diseases, oral health can also be an indication or early detection of medical complications or concerns. Research shows that lesions in the mouth can indicate HIV infection and can also be used to determine its progression to AIDs. Saliva may also be a replacement for invasive blood testing as it can be used to determine and measure environmental toxins, hormones, medications, and antibodies.
Many more connections exist between oral and overall health in humans. You must always cultivate good oral hygiene, improving and maintaining excellent overall health.
Health Areas of Concern
Let’s look at the areas of concern affected by the connection between oral health and overall health.
Heart Disease
Inflammation of gum disease can cause several heart diseases. When the bacteria from this disease enters the bloodstream and travels to the arteries, it can lead to:
- Atherosclerosis: Occurs when plaque develops on the inner walls of the arteries. It decreases blood flow to the body, increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack.
- Endocarditis occurs when the endocardium (inner lining of the heart) becomes infected by bacteria and inflamed.
Respiratory Infections
You can develop respiratory infections like pneumonia when you inhale bacteria from infected gums and teeth over a long period.
Dementia
If you have gingivitis, you must treat it early to prevent further complications. The gingivitis bacteria can make its way into your brain through the bloodstream or nerve channels, possibly leading to Alzheimer’s disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The more tooth loss you experience due to gum diseases, the higher the chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Diabetic Infections
Gum diseases have been known to exacerbate glycemic control in diabetic patients, making treatment difficult. People diagnosed with diabetes also have a high chance of developing periodontal diseases.
Several other diseases are connected to oral health. There is also a connection between oral and pharyngeal cancers, metabolic syndrome, and other complications.
How to Improve Your Overall Health Through Your Oral Health
To improve and protect your overall health, you must first take care of your oral health. You need to make your oral health top-notch to keep your overall health in check.
To protect and improve your oral health, you must practice adequate oral hygiene.
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Ensure to brush your teeth with a good toothbrush twice daily, and floss regularly (at least once a day).
- Use mouthwash for your dental cleanings.
- Eat healthy foods and reduce consuming sugary foods and drinks.
- Quit smoking and drinking excessively.
- Most importantly, pay your dentist regular visits for exams and checkups.
Oral Treatment in the University Charlotte Area
You should take your oral treatment seriously. You should go for regular checkups, treat every periodontal disease, take care of your dental cavities, and stay free from other chronic health complications. With excellent oral treatment, you can improve and maintain good overall health.
Winning Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry provides excellent oral treatment in the University Charlotte area. You can contact us for any dental issue you experience. Book an appointment with our dental team today!
