Everyone wants a beautiful, bright smile. However, did you know that a healthy set of pearly whites can improve more than just your appearance? A growing body of research shows that oral health has a significant influence on your overall wellbeing and your risk of serious systemic health concerns. Your Allen dentist explains how your mouth can reveal issues affecting the rest of your body and how a clean smile can keep you healthy.
Visiting Your Dentist for Your Overall Health
Your dentist is looking for more than just cavities during your routine dental checkups. Studies indicate that over 90% of systemic conditions show symptoms in the mouth. Your dentist is specially trained to detect the earliest signs of oral and non-oral health issues, like:
- Chronic bad breath and gums that bleed easily can be caused by diabetes.
- Loss of jawbone density, which could be an early warning sign of osteoporosis.
- Weakened enamel on the backside of teeth could be caused by acid reflux issues.
How Does Oral Health Influence General Wellbeing?
Not only do systemic diseases influence your mouth, but your oral health can affect the rest of your body as well. Researchers have found indisputable links between poor oral health and a wide variety of overall health issues, including respiratory infections, birth complications, rheumatoid arthritis, memory loss, and heart disease. The most likely culprits behind these connections are the bacteria and inflammation associated with an unhealthy mouth.
Your mouth is naturally brimming with bacteria, which is kept in check with regular brushing and flossing. However, if allowed to accumulate, it can infect the teeth and gums. As these bacterial infections grow and worsen, the body sets off an inflammatory immune response. Left untreated, these factors can spread throughout the body and cause widespread damage.
Tips to Keep You & Your Smile Healthy
Thankfully, you can easily keep your mouth healthy with a few simple yet effective habits, like:
- Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
- Using mouthwash and dental floss daily.
- Refraining from smoking or chewing tobacco.
- Monitoring your oral health and talking to your dentist about your concerns.
- Getting a regular dental checkup and cleaning twice a year.
Remember, brushing your teeth and visiting your dentist is about more than keeping your pearly whites bright. When you take care of your smile, your whole body will thank you!
About the Author
Dr. Tonie Lewis of Allen Smile Design cares about her patients’ overall wellbeing just as much as their beautiful smiles. She has well over 15 years of experience providing excellent dental care that’s personalized and comfortable with long-lasting results. Whether you need a simple cleaning or a complex treatment, she uses state-of-the-art equipment and the latest dental techniques to ensure you get the results you need. If you are concerned about your oral health, don’t hesitate to contact her via her website or at (972) 954-9728.