Your Dental Health Can Impact Your Physical Well Being

Of course you know that regular visits to the dentist will keep your smile looking great, but did you know that the health of your teeth can actually impact your overall health? That's right. Recent studies have shown that your mouth is a good indicator for what is going on in your body. Those who have good dental health tend to also be in good overall physical condition while those who have poor dental health often have other systemic conditions.

Dentists not only help you keep your teeth looking great, but they can also quickly identify many systemic conditions. In addition, keeping your mouth clean and healthy can prevent other conditions from worsening or from developing at all.

Gum Disease and Health Complications

It has been shown that there is a correlation between your cardiovascular health and the health of your teeth and gums. The more advanced periodontal disease is, the greater the risk you have of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between poor dental health in pregnant women with lower than average birth weights and pre-term deliveries.

These studies also point to the fact that 90% of all systemic diseases have oral symptoms. These symptoms include swollen, tender gums, mouth ulcers, bleeding of the gums and even dry mouth. Diseases that include such oral manifestations include diabetes, leukemia, oral and pancreatic cancer, and heart and kidney disease.

Believe it or not, those that undergo routine dental cleanings may have the best chances of catching systemic conditions early as dentists are often the only healthcare provider many individuals see more than once per year.

What You Can Do

Seeing your dentist at least twice per year not only ensures that your teeth are clean and healthy, but will also allow you an extra opportunity to keep other health conditions under control. Having regular dental examinations can not only ensure that you ward off tooth decay, it can also help you pinpoint issues in your diet as well as keep an eye on the development of health related conditions. It is important that you work with your dentist as a part of your healthcare team and keep him or her apprised of any changes in your health during your regular dental screenings. It is also important to schedule appointments with your dentist when you experience changes in your mouth.

In addition to maintaining a good professional dental health routine, it is important to ensure that you are following a complete dental care routine at home. Brushing two to three times per day for at least two minutes as well as daily flossing will go a long way to helping you maintain not only your dental health but your overall well-being.

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