Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body?
Keeping your oral health in check is a great start to
keeping the rest of your body in check also.
Believe it or not, the bacteria that can reside in your mouth can feed
your body through your blood stream and affect numerous things.
You have probably heard or read about gum disease and its
correlation with heart disease. People
who have gum disease are more likely to also experience coronary artery
disease. Oral bacteria from your mouth
can travel to your heart causing inflammation of the arteries. Any plaque that has formed in your arteries
is a perfect target for bacteria to attach itself, in turn increasing the risk
of a heart attack.
A secondary occurrence from inflammation of the arteries is
a stroke. The pesky bacteria that attach
to plaque in the heart can cause restricted airflow to the brain, which can
lead to a stroke.
Another concern in relation to gum disease is the way your
body can or can’t regulate blood sugar.
Research has shown that people who have gum disease and diabetes
have a harder time keeping their blood sugar under control.
Periodontal disease can also lead to respiratory disease,
which can cause difficulty breathing.
The oral bacteria from your mouth can be inhaled into your lungs,
causing an infection.
A major concern for women who are pregnant and have gum
disease is that they are more at risk for low birth weight babies due to
premature births. Oral bacteria can
cause the body to go into premature labor.
A study, done at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill notes that
oral disease can increase biological fluids that induce labor. And even if you aren’t pregnant yet, but plan
to be, those with gum disease can have a harder time conceiving.
In a nutshell, having a healthy mouth definitely can only
benefit the rest of your body. What are
the basics? Floss once a day (prior to
brushing), brush twice a day and rinse with mouthwash. It’s easy.
It takes only a few minutes and your body will thank you. And while homecare is very important, it is
also important to see your dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned and
examined to prevent problems from arising or to catch them when they are small.
Information compiled from the MSN Health, LE Magazine and
Szmanda Dental Center Staff.
©
Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012
