Dental health is underestimated by most people in the United States. Common thought is that visits to your dentist can only help you with oral problems and helping keep your smile bright. However, recently, medical studies have pointed toward oral health having a direct correlation to health within the rest of the body. This makes regular visits to your dentist more important than ever because it can reduce risk factors for a variety of really serious diseases such as the following:
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is one of the more terrifying forms of dementia out there; after all, the prospect of slowly forgetting everything about your life is a scary prospect. So, it might be surprising to you that the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has cited various studies that show a link between poor oral health and Alzheimer's. Basically, the studies show that bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is most commonly associated with chronic periodontitis, often shows up in Alzheimer's patients brains. The longer this bacteria is present in your mouth, the more it has to settle in your bloodstream which makes it more likely to invade your brain and put you at risk. This makes proper oral care more important than ever.
Diabetes
While diabetes can't be prevented or reduced by good oral hygiene, living with diabetes becomes much, much easier with better dental health. The inflammation caused by periodontal disease actually inhibits your body's ability to regulate blood sugar worse than it already can. Coincidentally, having diabetes also puts you at a higher risk for developing gum disease as well.
Heart Disease
This one is a bit stranger because researchers haven't quite figured out the link in why oral health affects your heart's health. Despite this fact, the American Heart Association agrees that the two are intertwined. Specifically, there seems to be a strong correlation between people with heart conditions and their having periodontitis. So, while researchers haven't determined a conclusive reasoning behind this, it is still very wise to check in with your dentist regularly and keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
So, as you can see, practicing good dental hygiene goes a long way not only for your mouth, but also for other more serious, long-term aspects of your life. So the next time you think about skipping your check-up for this year just remember that you're not just doing it for your smile.
To get your teeth looked at, contact a dentist such as Kyle J Frisinger DMD.
Share26 June 2015
Do you have a different doctor from your spouse? Does your child see a pediatrician? Most families have different medical health providers for different members of the family. This makes sense in most cases, but did you know that you can find a dentist who will treat every person in the family from a baby to a senior? I'm a manager or a family dentist, and in this blog you will learn why a family dentist is a great idea. I will tell you the many advantages of taking every family member to the same dentist, and I will give you tips of finding the right dental office for your family.