15 Jul A Healthy Mouth is a Gateway to a Healthy Body
Many people believe that oral health problems, such as gum disease have only a minimal spread and are usually isolated to the affected area. However, ask a family dentist whether these conditions can impact on a person’s overall health, and the answer will be yes. The fact is that poor oral health can have a damaging effect on a person’s general health.
A good dental health regimen, involving regular brushing and visits to the family dentist can help to reduce the risks of associated health problems, not just locally in and around the mouth, but in other areas too. Many oral health conditions are often a result of inflammation of the gum tissue. This inflammation is caused by bacteria which can enter a person’s bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body.
Plaque, for example, is a clear sticky substance that coats the surface of the teeth. Naturally occurring, plaque acids can erode the surface of the tooth, and if left on the teeth, can begin to harden into a substance called tartar. Research has shown that there is an intrinsic link between plaque and health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and complications in pregnant women, and so it is important to pay close attention to maintaining dental health in addition to overall health considerations.
Modern dentistry techniques can address virtually any dental problem and goes a long way towards ensuring optimum dental health – providing of course the patient maintains their end of the bargain and indulges in regular brushing and flossing, and visits to their dentist for check-ups and professional cleanings. Not only does this help to maintain a good smile and oral health, but it also gives the chance for the dentist to offer advice and to take remedial action on any potential problems that may begin to manifest, and prevent their effect from spreading further.
In addition to keeping teeth clean, watching what you eat and avoiding toxins such as tobacco and alcohol can help to cut the risk of oral cancers. Getting enough sleep so that the body can repair itself and regular physical exercise to keep the body in tip-top condition, coupled with good dental health, can all lend themselves to safeguarding a person’s overall health.