Dentist educating a patient at an exam
Are you one of the millions of Americans who made a resolution in 2018 to improve your health? If so, you probably decided to exercise more, eat more fruits and vegetables, and get eight hours of sleep each night. But you may not realize that problems in your mouth can also affect your general health, putting you at higher risk for developing certain types of disease. If 2018 is the year you’ve vowed to take better care of yourself, keep reading as a dentist in Dallas GA talks about this surprising link. You’ll also learn about some simple steps you can take to improve your oral health and do something good for your body in the process!
What is the Link Between Your Mouth and Body?
While research is ongoing, in the last 10-20 years scientists have learned a lot about how inflammation in the mouth can cause inflammation in other areas of the body.
That inflammation can increase your risk for each of the following:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Complications in Pregnancy
- Alzheimer’s
But how does inflammation spread from your mouth to other areas? The main source of inflammation in your mouth is bacteria, which is the main component of plaque and tartar.
If you’re not brushing or flossing regularly, or aren’t getting professional cleanings and checkups, you’re leaving plaque and tartar under your gumline. When that happens, bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream and travel throughout your entire body, head to toe.
For example, when bacteria from the mouth travel through the heart, they can cause plaques to form in the arteries and veins. Those same bacteria can potentially trigger inflammation in the brain, or travel to an unborn baby and cause low birth weight.
What Can You Do To Stay Healthy?
Thankfully, there are easy steps you can take to prevent some of these issues that don’t involve a major overhaul of your lifestyle. The first step is to have regular cleanings and checkups with a “dentist near me.” This gives them an opportunity to do a thorough assessment of your teeth and gums and help you create an action plan tailored just for you.
Also, having a simple homecare routine will reduce the bacteria in your mouth and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing at least twice per day and flossing once is the general guideline.
There are also many tools and tricks you can use which may make things easier. Floss picks, waterpiks and electric toothbrushes are all potential options. These tools will help you make the most of the time you put in at home.
By making these small changes, you can spend less time and money in the dental chair and also have a big impact on your health at the same time!
About the Author
Dr. Jack Bickford and Dr. Bobby Shirley are general, restorative and cosmetic dentists who are dedicated to providing their community with the absolute best in dental care. They continually strive to empower their patients with the information they need to have both a healthy mouth and a healthy body. They can be contacted for questions via their website, or at (770) 445-6606.
