ORAL HEALTH

February, 2012 » 

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