The notion that whatever happens inside your mouth will not affect the rest of your body (or vice versa) is a fallacy. The fact is, whatever happens in your mouth is BROADCASTED to the rest of your body.
Your oral health and your overall health are directly linked. In fact, there’s mounting evidence that tooth decay and gum disease bear direct connections to diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
This is why regular dental exams are so important. We treat each dental exam as a detection for disease and other ailments. And getting to our office sooner rather than later, will do your body good.
Here are four reasons you’ll want to schedule an appointment soon rather than later.
Diabetes
Gum disease is a double-edged ailment when it comes to diabetes. First, diabetes stresses your whole body. You have a tougher time fighting infections, including gum disease, when your blood sugar is out of whack. But your body also has a difficult time controlling your blood sugar when you have gum disease.
Heart Health
Scientists say that people with gum disease have two to three times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular event. However, what isn’t so clear is whether this link between oral health and heart health is direct or indirect. But continued studies are drawing a strong line connecting the body’s immune response to gum disease – inflammation – as a very real facilitator of declining heart health.
Tobacco Use
By now, most of us know the damage tobacco use inflects upon a user’s lungs. But lungs aren’t the only victim of tobacco. In addition to permanently staining teeth and doubling up your risk of tooth loss, tobacco use boosts your chances for tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
With regular visits, I can help tobacco users fight off and detect decay, disease, and cancer before it takes hold.
Cancer
Cancer’s ravages the body, and unfortunately, so can cancer therapies. Many treatments can degrade oral health by provoking dry mouth, painful gums, swollen tongue, and sores in the mouth and throat – which could lead to infection.
Cancer patients will want to keep the dentist on their protocol list. A body already fighting cancer will only become weaker when trying to fight additional disease and infection in the mouth.
Other Conditions To Be Aware Of
Here are five additional conditions I can help remedy before they grow more serious:
- Heavy Tartar if untreated, will lead to tooth decay and gum disease
- Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums may signal gum disease
- Dry mouth invites tooth decay and gum disease
- A fuzzy tongue can be an indicator of chronic dry mouth or fungal infections like thrush
- Chronic bad breath could be a warning of gum disease
Whatever happens in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth. Scheduling an appointment at THE SCIENCE OF SMILES® sooner rather than later will only amplify your chances of warding off disease and preserving your oral and whole-body health.
About THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®
THE SCIENCE OF SMILES® offers affordable cosmetic and laser dentistry and gentle, compassionate general dental care in Pasadena, CA. Our office is conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures, complete dental reconstruction and TMJ/Headache management. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover affordable up-to-date dentistry and a team who truly cares at THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®.
