Oral Health And Whole Body Health Are Closely Linked

THERE ARE MORE BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH RIGHT THIS MINUTE than there are people on this planet. Thoughtful dental health is about SO much more than avoiding cavities. Preventative dental care is essential to an overall healthy lifestyle.

Yes, We’re Your Orthodontic Team, But We Care About Your Total Health

Orthodontic health is one important step in a lifetime of good oral and overall health. Other steps include keeping your regular dental check-ups and maintaining an active lifestyle. They all add up to a healthier, happier life.

Even though we’re not specifically talking about braces here, we think that this is information that it’s important for our patients to know.

Mouth Bacteria Can Spread To Other Parts Of Our Bodies

Neglecting one’s oral health can have very serious consequences. Something as seemingly harmless as bleeding gums—a sign of gum disease—is equivalent to an open wound that allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect the rest of the body.

Many Studies Link Dental Health To Whole Body Health

A growing body of research suggests that gum disease can increase your risk of dangerous health problems, including…

• Diabetes
• Endocarditis & Cardiovascular Disease
• Osteoporosis
• Strokes
• Alzheimer’s Disease

A First Line Of Detection For Serious Diseases

It surprises people to learn that dentists are often first to discover health conditions like HIV, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. In part, that may be because they typically see you more often than you see your physician. Another reason is that certain health problems affect conditions inside your mouth and we’re trained to see that. So it goes both ways… Our oral health provides clues to our whole body health, AND our whole body health can affect our oral health.

What Can You Do?

It’s as simple as it is important. Consistently and thoroughly brush and floss to keep bacteria under control, especially while you’re wearing braces. Never skip regular cleanings and checkups. Let your dental team help you monitor the critical relationship between your oral and overall health.

Thank you so much for the trust you place in us. We appreciate you.

Top image by Flikr user Nan Palmero used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Image cropped from original.