How a Healthy Smile Contributes to Your Overall Health
A bright, beautiful smile adds to your confidence and can be a great advantage in many areas of your life. In addition to the way they contribute to your appearance, teeth provide us with th5/1/19e ability to chew and speak clearly and are essential to maintaining a healthy diet and therefore a healthy body. It makes sense that if our dental health is in jeopardy, our overall health will be too.
Oral Health Can and Overall Health
When gum disease occurs, there is an overabundance of bacteria in your mouth. Because compromised gum tissue bleeds, potentially harmful oral bacteria have a significantly greater risk of entering your bloodstream. These bacteria can also be inhaled and enter your system through your lungs. While there are differing theories on the most common path these germs take to cross the threshold into our bodies, the following conditions may be started, or aggravated by poor oral health and gum disease:
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Infections
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Demetria
- Premature Birth
Reducing the Risk of Disease
Recent studies also suggest that keeping our teeth and gums healthy reduces the risk of certain cancers. While these connections have been observed, the exact mechanism of distribution and causality is still in debate. Inflammation and plaque build-up seems to play roles in the increased risk of heart disease stroke, and dementia, while the spread of infection and inhalation of bacteria may be responsible for the increase in lung disease. Oral bacteria produce enzymes similar to those created at the end of pregnancy, and the body can mistake the accumulation of these enzymes as a trigger to begin the birthing process.
Diabetes and Gum Disease
Inflammation, infection, and poor blood sugar control can be caused by both gum disease and diabetes. The two conditions worsen the status of each other, and without vigilant care, this destructive cycle can negatively impact your health.
Preserving a Healthy, Long-Lasting Smile
By brushing your teeth twice a day, maintaining a low-sugar diet, and visiting a trusted dental professional regularly, you reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. By making the health of your teeth and gums a priority, you not only enjoy the confidence that comes with an attractive smile, but you support your overall health and well-being at the same time.
Be Proactive in Defense of Your Oral and Overall Health - Call our Dallas, PA Dental Office
Dr. David Spring provides high-quality dental care to maintain, enhance, and restore the smiles for residents of Back Mountain and the surrounding Dallas PA communities.