Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health?
Brushing and flossing your teeth everyday not only prevents cavities and helps in keeping your teeth pearly white, but also helps in overall well-being.
Your mouth/oral cavity is an extension of the rest of your body. Like other areas of the body, the mouth is full of germs. Not to worry, these germs are mostly harmless. Most often the body’s defenses and good oral care keep these germs under control. However, without good oral hygiene, germs can reach levels that might lead to infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
What are the conditions that can be linked to oral health?
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- Endocarditis: This is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves, called endocardium. It most often happens when germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the blood and attach to certain areas in the heart. Infection of the endocardium is rare. But it can be fatal
- Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral germs can cause
- Pregnancy and birth complications: Gum disease called periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight
- Pneumonia: Certain germs in the mouth can go into the lungs. This may cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases
- Diabetes: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes are more susceptible to gum diseases. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular dental care can improve diabetes control
- HIV/AIDS: Oral problems, such as painful mouth sores called mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS
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Some other conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Prostate cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome and Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect your oral health.
Once you approach the dentist for your routine check-up, the dentist will be conducting the following examination:
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- A complete medical history to identify the presence of other systemic diseases (i.e., diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, obesity, cancer, among others)
- Will measure your oral health and quality of life through a validated instrument
- Review the diet and the presence of any unhealthy behavior
- Will identify through validated psychological tests, any personality characteristics (anxious, depressive, neuroticism, among others) that have been specifically related to oral health
- Do a general dental check-up (cavities, non-carious lesions, dental plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, infections and inflammation, cancer, malocclusions, functionality, etc.)
- Will take a sample for the diagnosis of the oral microbiome
Remember, your health is in your mouth. There is so much benefit to having regular dental check-ups that we really hope you will not let your nerves or fear of dental treatment, keep you away.
So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment with us today😊
