Dental health is about more than just the condition of the gums and teeth, as the mouth is a major entry into the rest of the body. Because of this, poor oral health will often lead to poor general health. Believe it or not, the health of your teeth and gums reveals something about the other parts of your body. For instance, certain blood disorders’ symptoms include bleeding and pale gums. Your saliva can tell if your body contains drugs, toxins, or alcohol. Plus here’s a couple of dental diseases that affect general health:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a dental disease characterized by gum inflammation because of bacteria or plaque accumulation in the mouth. If untreated, this problem may aggravate into the more serious periodontitis. This disease comes in two forms namely dental plaque-induced gingival disease and non-plaque induced gingival lesions. In itself, gingivitis is a painful condition, but it can cause more harm. Serious gum diseases have been linked to heart diseases and other general health issues.
Periodontitis
While periodontitis is sometimes a more serious form of gingivitis, it can still occur in the absence of gingivitis. It is characterized by inflamed gums, and the teeth, jaw, and ligaments are affected as well. Patients suffer from bad breath, pus between gum and teeth, lost teeth, and tooth spacing problems.
Periodontitis affects the eating and chewing habits of the patient, so you can only imagine its effect on their dietary life. With the overall health in serious threats, scientists have linked this oral disease to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and respiratory problems. The good thing is that there are simple measures of taking care of your dental health to reduce the chances of contracting these ailments:
Brush the Teeth
Every dentist reiterates this point, which some tend to ignore. Brushing your teeth twice a day is the recommendation of the American Dental Association, but there is no harm in doing it more often, for instances after every meal. The point of brushing is to not only get rid of food particles stuck in the teeth but also remove plaque. Brushing correctly and using the recommended toothpaste may be the only effort you need to prevent tartar formation.
Floss Equally Often
Flossing is done after brushing to remove any plaque or remaining food particles. According to the majority of dentists, the best time to floss is before sleeping. This, combined with the frequent brushing, will reduce the chances of gum disease significantly. If you have any doubts about how to floss correctly, visit your trusted dentist in Flourtown, PA and you will receive help.
Visit the Dentists Regularly
Regular visits to the dentist are good for the health of gums and teeth. The dentist may recommend the frequency of routine checkups, but going to the clinic every six months seems suitable for most people. During the visit, you undergo an examination that’s often followed by oral prophylaxis, a whole package that identifies all the prevailing issues and offers solutions.
Many general health complaints can be avoided with frequent dental visits and good oral health. Even if everything seems OK, it is important to get routine checkups, as some diseases may take time to show.
