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Want to enjoy a better overall well-being? It all begins with your mouth. It’s no surprise that what you eat affects everything from your waistline to the strength and beauty of your hair — but your oral health can have a negative or positive impact on the rest of your body, too. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums can help you enjoy a better overall well-being for a (longer) lifetime to come! Learn more from the dentist in Marietta, then schedule an appointment for your preventive care with Dr. Merriman.

How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health

We are learning more about the connections between oral health and overall well-being every year. Mounting evidence supports a strong link between gum disease and your systemic health, especially. We have listed just a few of the ways in which your smile’s health affects your overall well-being below.

• Cardiovascular health: Gum disease has now been shown to be closely linked to issues with heart health, and people who have this periodontal condition can be more at risk to experience heart attacks, high blood pressure, and stroke. It’s thought that inflammation in the gums leads to or reflects the same inflammation in the arteries.
• Blood glucose levels: People who have serious levels of gum disease can contribute to making it harder to control diabetes too. Diabetes affects the immune system and makes it harder for infections to heal. Fortunately, research shows that treating gum disease can help to control blood glucose levels, and vice versa.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women are more likely to experience a temporary and mild form of gum disease called pregnancy gingivitis. A dentist should be seen during pregnancy to ensure the condition does not worsen, as periodontitis can lead to premature birth or low birthweight. Additionally, pregnant women may be more likely to experience tooth decay during pregnancy as their hormones and dietary habits change. It is important to maintain excellent dental hygiene during pregnancy.
• Respiratory issues: Bacteria that lives in diseased gums can be aspirated, or breathed into the lungs. People who have gum disease are more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

On the Need for Preventive Dental Care

Gum disease and cavities are easy to prevent when you practice the basics of good dental hygiene: brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly. When you come into Dr. Merriman’s office for your regular preventive care visits, we are able to keep track of your periodontal health to help you steer clear of gum disease, the condition that has perhaps the most significant impact on your overall well-being. Early detection also allows for the most conservative treatment saving you time and expense.

Posted on behalf of Envision Dental