Oral Health and Overall Health
Do you want to stay healthy for as long as possible? Do you want to avoid health problems as you grow older? Are you health obsessed and strive to live as clean as possible? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you will want to listen up! These days, more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Gym memberships are flying out the door, yoga subscriptions are on a whole new level, and healthy smoothies and shakes can be found in abundance. However, a lot of people don’t even consider the correlation between oral health and overall health and it’s a massive one! If you want to live a clean and healthy life to avoid problems in the future and ensure you age gracefully, a great starting point is a visit to your local Fairview dentist. Making sure you take care of your mouth and getting the best possible dental care are essential in maintaining a healthy body. Here are the most common correlations between oral health and overall health.
The effects of oral health on the rest of your body
The main reason that oral health affects your overall health lies in your gums. Gum disease is defined as the inflammation of the gums, which may also affect the supporting bone structure. Gum disease is caused by the build-up of plaque, a sticky and colourless film of bacteria that hardens into tartar on teeth and can contribute to gum disease. Left unattended, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and more serious diseases. Bacteria found in the mouth may travel to the lungs and cause infection or aggravate respiratory conditions. A prominent link also exists between gum disease and pulmonary conditions such as heart disease. Brushing and flossing of teeth coupled with regular visits to your local dentist substantially decrease your risk of future complications and disease.
The effects of overall health on your mouth
Keeping healthy shouldn’t just be for your heart and lungs; your oral hygiene is more dependent on your overall health than you think! There is a prominent link between diabetes and gum disease. Multiple studies indicate that people with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease than those without. Additionally, gum disease may put people with diabetes at a greater risk of diabetic complications. What you eat has just as much of an effect on your mouth as it does on the rest of your body. Staying away from sugary foods will not only keep the inches off your waistline but will also get you well on your way to maintaining a healthy set of teeth and gums!
Visiting your local dental professional will get you well on your way to maintaining a healthy mouth and increasing your chance of a disease-free future for your body. Your dentist will be able to give you the knowledge and treatment you need to keep your teeth clean and your gums bacteria-free, leading to a healthier body and a better life!