When it comes to our health, we rarely think about the impact our dental health can have on our overall health. The reality is they are very much connected and by not taking care of your teeth you run the risk of developing other serious illnesses. Let’s look at a few aspects of the mouth-body health connection.
If you don’t take care of the pearly whites in your mouth, you run the risk of developing something like periodontal disease. This condition results in a chronic inflammation of the tissue around your gums, an infection below your gum line and disease-causing bacteria in your oral cavity.
Poor oral hygiene can also increase the effects of any preexisting conditions, which can cause more serious effects to your health. For example, if you have diabetes, developing periodontal disease can lead to an increase in your blood sugar levels, making controlling the amount of sugar in your blood stream even more difficult.
The development of heart disease and incidence of stroke is also connected to your dental health. Some scientists believe that bacteria in the mouth that is associated with periodontal disease can attach to our coronary arteries, which can result in the formation of blood clots and the narrowing of the arteries that could cause a heart attack. Inflammation caused by the disease could also allow plaque buildup to lead to swollen arteries, worsening any pre-existing heart conditions such as heart disease.
However, with proper oral care, these risks significantly drop. That’s why keeping up with your regular visits to the dentist are so important. By seeing your dentist regularly, you can keep an eye on your dental health, ensuring that not only you have healthy teeth and gums, but an overall healthy body.
Whether you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or need to schedule your next appointment, Brockport Dental is here for you. We offer gentle, comprehensive dental care that will help keep your mouth in great shape. To schedule a visit, call us today at 585-589-0000 or request your appointment online now!
