How does your oral health relate to your overall health?

Most bacteria in your body enters through your mouth or nose. Brushing and flossing daily keeps the bacteria levels low and your overall health higher. Proper oral hygiene can keep oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease, at bay.

Multiple tooth fractures and rapidly advancing periodontal (gum) disease can raise some red flags for your dentist. These symptoms may point to high blood pressure and anemia, which should be immediately addressed by your primary care doctor. Other systemic diseases can often be detected by your oral health including AIDS and diabetes. In fact, most systemic diseases produce oral signs first.

Gingivitis, due to bacteria, causes inflammation throughout your body and may affect your arteries. Although oral hygiene will not keep away cardiovascular disease, poor oral hygiene may contribute to a heart attack or stroke.

Visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning is very important to your oral hygiene to prevent plaque build up. A clear sticky layer of bacteria, your dentist removes this thin layer before it develops into tartar. Once tartar has developed you cannot remove it and this can cause oral disease!

You are probably brushing your teeth right now after reading the above. Follow these steps for healthy oral hygiene. Contact Dental Health Associates today to schedule a cleaning.