Dental Care & the Whole Body

We all know how important dental care is to our oral health, but what about for our overall health? It is actually a lot more critical than we think. Surprisingly many serious diseases and ailments are linked to poor dental care. These include:

• Lung and respiratory issues
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Arthritis, lupus, and other auto-immune disorders

Researchers think that the link between our dental care and health is in relation to having bacteria enter the bloodstream. This is similar to the “leaky gut” theory. Leaky gut involves bacteria and other substances leaving the digestive tract (stomach, intestines, etc.) and seeping into the bloodstream. Similarly, “leaky gums” occur when the mouth is weakened by poor dental care and foreign substances and disease-carrying bacteria seep into the bloodstream.

So the big question is how serious is the risk of poor dental care to overall health? A recent study showed that people who have unhealthy gums can suffer strokes three times more frequently than those with healthy gums. In this same study it showed that people with unhealthy dental care habits are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks. So as it turns out, brushing your teeth can really improve your health, and potentially save your life!

Dental Tips to Improve Health:

There are few healthcare regimens that are as effective as a thorough dental care plan at home. In order to improve your health and decrease the chances of getting an infection or disease, you need to keep these dental tips in mind:

• Brushing regularly. Brush your teeth at least twice per day. If you can get in an additional brush around lunchtime, that’s even better!
• FLOSSING!. Flossing helps reach food particles that can “hide” in your teeth and gums. If you don’t remove those particles, bacteria quickly develops, which can lead to tooth decay and other problems…and eventually, create other health issues.
• Using an antiseptic mouthwash. Limit and eliminate the “bad” bacteria in your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. This process helps to kill bacteria. And your close associates will thank you – it freshens your breath!
• Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist provides teeth cleanings, checkups, and dental procedures to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. If you’re in the SoCal region, schedule an appointment with Dr. Zorro today.