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Oral Health Care

How Oral Health Impacts Overall Health

When we consider our health, how much do we consider our oral health? Just because we go to dentists for oral health issues and physicians for general health issues doesn’t imply there isn’t a link between the two. This blog on How Oral Health Impacts Overall Health will explain this in detail. 

The Mouth Serves as a Link Between the Body and the Outside World.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, the mouth is unquestionably the door to the body. What we eat impacts our health, as do other mouth-related activities such as smoking or nail-biting, and issues with overall health may manifest themselves first in the teeth and especially the gums. Maintaining good dental health makes it simpler to maintain good overall health, and vice versa. 

The following section will talk about how oral health can impact your overall health.

Chronic Diseases and Gum Disease

A recent CDC study gives the following facts on periodontitis prevalence in the United States: Periodontal disease affects 47.2% of people aged 30 and older. Gingivitis, in its early stages, is caused by plaque accumulation and irritation of the gums, resulting in swelling, pain, and infection. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which damages the support systems around the teeth, over time. Several studies have found a relationship between gum disease and a variety of chronic illnesses.

Diabetes

Gum disease affects about a quarter of diabetics. Diabetes makes it more difficult for the body to fight off dangerous germs, making gum disease more likely to develop and more difficult to treat. Gum disease, in turn, can make controlling blood sugar levels and managing diabetes more difficult.

Cancer

Cancer researchers discovered that males who have gum disease are 30% more likely to acquire blood malignancies, 50% more likely to develop kidney cancer, and 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. Cancer therapies might have an effect on dental health as well. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can cause dry mouth, sensitive gums, mouth sores, and jaw and face discomfort.

Cardiovascular Disease

The causes for this are unknown, however, heart disease and gum disease have a history of coexisting. Gum disease affects up to nine out of every 10 persons who have heart disease. According to one idea, inflammation is the relationship between these two illnesses.

Other Health Issues

Gum disease has also been related to osteoporosis, renal illness, rheumatoid arthritis, certain lung problems, and even stroke. Preterm deliveries and low birth weights have also been associated with gum disease in pregnant women.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

All of these links between gum disease and chronic diseases may appear frightening, but gum disease is avoidable if we practice excellent daily routines such as brushing for two full minutes twice a day and flossing daily. Scheduling frequent dental checkups and keeping the dentist up to speed on our medical history is equally crucial! Contact Long Falls Dentistry for your routine checkups