Did you know that keeping your smile healthy boosts more than just your teeth and gum health? A healthy mouth impacts your overall health in a variety of ways, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, blocked blood vessels and even Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s take a look!
Heart Disease: People experiencing chronic inflammation and gum infections also tend to have problems with their cardiovascular health. People with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease as people who don’t have gum disease. Gum disease creates elevated oral bacteria that can travel through to the arteries via the bloodstream to worsen heart disease and diabetes.
Alzheimer’s disease: Gum disease has been found to elevate the risk of cognitive dysfunction, from harmful oral bacteria traveling through the body through the bloodstream or even from the nerves in diseased tooth roots.
Health: Healthy saliva production protects against pathogenic organisms like bacteria and viruses. Without healthy saliva levels, germs can enter the mouth and make their way to your heart and lungs.
Digestive Infections: Infections from your mouth (teeth, gums, etc.) pass down into your stomach and digestive system to wreak havoc there, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Poor Memory: People with gingivitis have been shown to do worse on memory tests!
As you can see, taking care of your body literally begins in your mouth! As with any medical or dental condition, prevention is easier on one’s health than trying to manage a full-blown problem down the road.
Prevention
You can keep gum disease from taking over your smile and harming your body by brushing and flossing every day as recommended. Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, and flossing between teeth and around the gum line at least once a day can keep cavities and gum disease from gaining a foothold.
Don’t skip those bi-annual dental cleanings because that’s when we remove hardened plaque build up (tartar) and check for cavities and gum disease. Boost your health by consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that protect your smile and your body. Eating whole fruits and vegetables, limiting sugary foods and acidic drinks are essential for good health!
Resolve to take good care of your teeth and your body will thank you. Maintain good daily oral hygiene habits and you should see noticeable benefits throughout your body, not to mention saving you money down the road from costly dental treatments to fix damaged teeth and gums.
Give us a call today to learn more or to schedule a visit with one of our dentists. Our Valley View Dental teams in Romeoville, Naperville and Montgomery, Illinois, are dedicated to helping you and your family get the high-quality dental care your smile and body deserve!