Your Mouth — Why It Is Connected to Your Total Health

TOOTH AND GUM ISSUES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT MORE THAN YOUR TEETH AND GUMS

Every part of the human body is connected, so issues that originate in one spot can create a much wider impact. In this blog, our team at MINT dentistry in Sugarland talks about the links between your dental and oral health and your wider physical health. Hundreds of research studies are underway across the globe that are trying to determine how oral health affects general health and how overall health can affect oral health. Imperfect oral health (especially periodontal disease) can raise your probability of developing cardiac disease, make it more complicated to manage blood glucose, and during pregnancy, affect the infant's health. All of these are great reasons to ensure you establish a suitable oral health regimen at home and make biannual appointments with a dentist in Sugarland, TX.

HOW CAN YOUR MOUTH HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH?
A person's mouth is essentially a gateway to many vital organs, including the stomach and heart. It makes sense that a disease or inflammation, like periodontitis, can quickly extend to various areas of the body. These are some of the most alarming conditions that may be influenced by oral health:

• PREGNANCY CONCERNS
  The shifts in hormones during pregnancy can put a woman at higher risk of having gum disease. Pregnancy gingivitis causes red, swollen gums that tend to bleed. Having progressive periodontal disease (periodontitis) while expecting has been connected to early delivery and underweight newborns. It follows that it's extremely important for pregnant women to brush and floss every day to prevent periodontal disease and other oral health concerns.
• DIABETES
  People with diabetes should pay special attention to their gum health to help regulate their insulin levels. Persistent or untreated periodontal disease may make it tougher for the body to control blood sugar. In cases where you have a problem with controlling your diabetes, schedule a visit with a dental practitioner in Sugarland, TX to ascertain if periodontal disease might be part of your problem.
• HEART PROBLEMS
  There is evidence that indicates that swelling of the teeth and gums (usually from gum disease) can increase someone's potential for having a cardiac event or cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Research is underway to look at the idea that oral bacteria can bring about swelling in the veins.
• ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
  Researchers are studying the relationship between good dental health and stronger cognitive function in seniors. For patients who have Alzheimer's disease, they have found a reasonable connection to unsatisfactory oral health. Dementia and poor cognitive function usually bring on more tooth and gum problems, probably because the individual has difficulty keeping to their home oral care routine.

CRUCIAL ORAL HEALTH STEPS
There are many ways to upgrade or keep up your oral health, and as a result, your overall health. These begin with a thorough dental hygiene system at home and visiting your dental practitioner in Sugarland, TX twice a year.

• GET PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWICE A YEAR
  In order to get rid of the plaque and tartar that will often collect on your teeth, you need to visit a dentist in Sugarland, TX no less than two times per year to receive a dental cleaning. At these cleanings, your hygienist will examine your gum pockets and check for other signs of gingivitis (the initial stage of periodontal disease).
• TALK TO YOUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
  When speaking to your dentist, be open and honest regarding your medical history and any existing medical conditions. Alert him or her if you have a family history of cardiac disease, insulin issues, or periodontal disease. You may be encouraged to come in for oral health evaluations more often than one time per year.
• BE OPEN WITH YOUR GENERAL PRACTITIONER ABOUT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
  If your usual physician is prescribing you medicine for diabetes or cardiovascular disease, he or she needs to know about any tooth or gum problems. Gum disease can have a substantial impact on your total health.
• BRUSH YOUR TEETH A MINIMUM OF TWICE A DAY
  No less than twice each day, you need to be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes with a fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure you aren't pressing too aggressively with your toothbrush as this can wear down your enamel and cause a receding gumline.
• GET YEARLY ORAL EXAMS
  For your yearly oral health checkup, your dental team will use digital x-rays and other equipment to look for issues. Early treatment of problems should help you prevent worse problems in the long run. In addition, problems that are detected early can generally be handled with quicker, less invasive procedures.
• TEND TO ORAL HEALTH ISSUES RIGHT AWAY
  In cases where your dentist identifies an issue, make sure you schedule an appointment ASAP to have it taken care of. If you have any symptoms of an oral health issue, such as lingering toothaches, red and swollen or bleeding gums, or trouble chewing, you should set up an appointment.
• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
  To improve the health of your teeth and gums, talk to your dental hygienist about using preventive treatments to assist in avoiding dental issues. These could include dental sealants, which help defend your back teeth from acquiring cavities, or fluoride mouth rinses to strengthen your enamel.
• FLOSS YOUR TEETH AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY
  Flossing your teeth is especially important in warding off periodontal problems. You need to floss every day to remove the plaque and food particles from in between your teeth. To check that you are flossing the right way, ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate the most productive way to floss during your next appointment.

BOOST YOUR DENTAL HEALTH TO BETTER YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE
Start paying attention to your teeth and gums and help your whole body. Researchers have evidence to suggest that inflammation and microorganisms in your mouth can be damaging to your overall health, both now and later on. Paying attention to your gums and teeth is an important part of your general well-being, so schedule an appointment with a dental practitioner in Sugarland, TX to receive an oral health assessment and professional cleaning. When you need an excellent team of experienced dental practitioners who provide preventive care as well as restorative treatments, come by MINT dentistry in Sugarland. We would be delighted to help your whole family attain stunning, healthy smiles at our office in Sugarland, TX.