There are a variety of concerns that come to mind when we’re thinking about the impact of our dental health. From simple cavities and fillings to the specters of gingivitis and root canals, we hear about this common ailments every day and they all share one thing in common. They’re all centered on our mouth, gums, and jaw. Recent studies have revealed that the impact of poor dental health goes far beyond these basic concerns and can include issues with the whole body.
What is the interplay of oral health with our total body health?
If you’re like most people, you’re fairly meticulous about your oral health. By brushing twice a day, flossing your teeth, and regularly using mouthwash you’d imagine that you’ve got your bases covered, especially when combined with regular dental visits. Sometimes, however, even this diligent attention to our oral health isn’t enough to prevent damage to our teeth. When you’re meticulous about oral care but you still have problems with cavities, gingivitis, and other health concerns it’s possible, even likely, that the source of your concerns can be found outside your oral regime.
What do I need to worry about if I’m still getting dental issues?
Problems with oral health that aren’t indicated by poor oral hygiene indicate issues existing elsewhere in the body. The source of these issues can be surprisingly broad, including rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and more. Comparing over 1000 medical histories have revealed that those suffering from these conditions have an increased occurrence of oral health issues, even when excellent hygiene practices are present.
Can poor oral hygiene result in issues elsewhere in the body?
The road of oral health goes both ways, especially when something serious like abscesses are involved. Abscesses are caused by infection forming in a decay pocket in your gums and are particularly dangerous due to their proximity to the blood vessels leading to the brain and vital organs. Poor oral health can be problematic on many levels, and these infections can spread throughout the body under the right circumstances.
Concerns about your oral health, and your whole system health deserve your attention and proper action. If you’re experiencing unusual oral health concerns, schedule an appointment with your dentist, as well as your regular medical practitioner. Additionally be certain to share all of your medical history with both your dentist and your physician. These two practitioners working together can help to identify issues that may otherwise go undiagnosed, and something that seems insignificant to you may be vitally important to an early diagnosis.
The experts at Forest Hill Family Dental are available to help provide exceptional dental care for you and your entire family. If you live in the Kitchener, ON area and are looking for a practitioner who understands the importance of whole-body health and its relation to oral health, pick up the phone and call Dr. Xiaofeng Wang today. Your body will thank you for making sure you take care of everything that keeps it healthy.