Whole Body Health And Your Oral Hygiene San Marcos Dental
The information available on the link between your oral health/ dental health and your body’s health has increased in recent years. Not everyone is familiar with the many ways what’s happening in your mouth can affect the rest of your body, but the link is actually a fairly important one. Not only can your tooth and oral health be connected to the rest of your body, but it can also be a symptom of other potential health risks.
The Connection Between Mouth and Body
Your mouth is an important indicator of what’s going on in your body. Problems that start in the mouth can affect other parts of your body. The opposite is also true: issues in your body can cause symptoms that appear in the mouth. This is one of the reasons that maintaining oral hygiene and making regular trips to your San Marcos dentist is so important.
Signs to Watch For
Since the health of your mouth is so important to your body, it’s imperative that you pay attention to it. You might be thinking, I get dental treatment, and dental cleaning done regularly! Even if your oral hygiene is stellar, take notice of irritating or recurring issues, even if they’re small and report them to your general dentist. Symptoms you may be tempted to ignore, such as a toothache or tender gums, could be a sign of conditions that need treatment, and you should make an appointment for preventative care with your family dentist for dental care in San Marcos. Inflammation or swelling in your mouth is a sign you should pay special attention to. Even if the problem turns out to really just be a cavity, it’s important to get it treated at your general dentistry all the same.
Common Correlations
Periodontitis and Diabetes
A significant connection has been established between periodontal disease and diabetes. These two conditions affect each other, which can be both a detriment or benefit. Periodontitis is an infection that affects your gums, and if left untreated can quickly become a serious problem that can damage the bone beneath your teeth. The inflammation caused by periodontitis can make it difficult to utilize insulin in the body. This can cause serious complications for those with diabetes if not treated.
Gum Disease and Heart Disease
The correlation between gum disease and heart disease is also significant. Those with heart disease are more likely to develop gum disease than those without. The inflammation of the mouth and gums that comes with gum disease is thought to be an additional risk factor for heart attacks. This is due to the resulting inflammation that can occur elsewhere in the body.
While the exact mechanisms underlying the gum disease-heart disease connection are still being explored, it is clear that maintaining good oral health is crucial for overall cardiovascular well-being. Regular dental care such as brushing and flossing, along with routine dental check-ups, can help prevent gum disease and improve oral health. Additionally, individuals with existing heart disease should be particularly vigilant in maintaining excellent oral hygiene as part of their overall disease management strategy.
Oral Bacteria and Alzheimer’s
A connection between oral bacteria present in periodontitis and Alzheimer’s is also suspected. In a research article by Stephen S. Dominy and additional researchers published in Science Advances, it was noted that bacteria associated with periodontitis was detected in patients with Alzeheimer’s. Research is ongoing, however the significant link between periodontitis and Alzeheimer’s has encouraged many to pay special attention to their oral healthcare.
While the connection between oral bacteria associated with periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease is still being investigated, the preliminary findings have raised awareness about the potential impact of oral health on brain health. Practicing good oral hygiene and seeking professional dental care are important preventive care steps in maintaining overall health and potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Preventative Care
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is an important part of keeping your body healthy and preventing oral health problems. Luckily, keeping your mouth healthy can be easily accomplished with some diligence and helpful habits. Brush your teeth after you eat as often as possible, and floss regularly. Keep an eye on your diet as well, as some foods can harm your teeth if eaten in excess. In addition, visit your general dentist regularly for treatment, professional dental cleaning, and x-rays that will help catch problems early.
Carothers San Marcos Dental
There are many dentists in San Marcos, Texas. Do you have more questions about how your oral hygiene and dental health affects your whole body health? Then contact Carothers Family Dental, one of the best dentist in San Marcos TX, to get more information or to schedule an appointment.
Here at Carothers, we take various types of dental insurance and do what we can to provide you quality dental care at an affordable price. From family dentistry, pediatric dentistry, emergency dental care, oral surgery, gum disease treatment, dental cleaning, sedation dentistry, root canal treatment, implants, cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and many other dental procedures, Carothers Family Dental provides the dental service that you and your family need to keep your smile healthy at our dental office in San Marcos!