subject: Periodontal And Systemic Connection - A Healthy Mouth Leads To A Healthy Heart [print this page] Oral health is more than just an attractive smile, it is essential to maintaining a healthy life. Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on your quality of life. In many cases, your overall health is mirrored by the condition of your mouth. Visiting your dentist in Raleigh, NC every six months can help identify diseases in their earliest stages, where treatment has a higher success rate. A regular dental exam allows your dentist to keep your mouth healthy and to watch for developments that may point to problems in other parts of your body. Your dental exam can also pick up on poor nutrition and hygiene, growth and development problems and improper jaw alignment.
The Connection
Diseases and conditions of the mouth directly link many of the medical conditions of the body. Certain medical conditions of the body have early oral manifestations. With regular visits, you can successfully maintain a healthy oral environment by controlling oral infections from the body that can cause caries and periodontal disease. The following are conditions that have an oral-systemic connection:
*AIDS
*Autoimmune Conditions
*Diabetes
*Heart disease
*Human papilloma virus
*Pancreatic cancer
*Stroke
Asthma and Your Oral Health
According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), approximately 20 million Americans have asthma with more dentists seeing asthmatic patients taking medications that can lead to an increase in cavities, bad breath and gum problems. Some tips for asthmatic patients include:
*Inform your dentist of your condition
*Explain if your asthma is controlled
*Inform your dentist of all asthma and other medications
*After inhaler use, rinse your mouth with water
*Ask your dentist about dental sealants
*Be attentive about brushing and flossing
Adults and children with asthma tend to be mouth breathers, which when combined with asthma medications causes a decrease in the saliva flow, creating dry mouth. Without saliva's cleansing effects, asthma patients have a higher risk for increased cavities and bad breath. If you are not vigilant about brushing and flossing, your gums can become inflamed, which often leads to gum disease.
Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health
One of the main connections between oral health and systemic health is with the health of your heart. Chronic gum disease can lead to the development of heart disease because your mouth is the pathway to the rest of your body. Studies show that oral health can provide warning signs for other diseases or conditions, including heart disease and it can be identified through a visit to your dentist.
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, 80 percent of Americans suffer from gum disease. Signs of gum disease include bleeding or swollen gums, bad breath, sores in your mouth, and several other symptoms. By brushing and flossing regularly, in addition to frequent visits to your dentist, you can help to prevent gum disease.
Protect your mouth and you can potentially protect the development of other systemic health issues related to your oral health. Maintain regular dental visits with your Raleigh dentist and you can remain on the right track to a healthy smile and body.
