Oral Health is a Window to Your Overall health

Your mouth can say a lot about your entire body’s well-being.  The office of the Surgeon General reported in 2000 that “oral health is essential to general health and well-being”. The best way to make sure you have good oral health is to have a consistent oral hygiene routine and have regular dental exams with your dentist. We have been providing families with dental exams in Scottsdale for over 25 years. 

         When we neglect our oral health it can cause many issues you may not know about. Poor oral hygiene can lead to several issues which affect your health.  The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria.  Proper care and evaluation is necessary to keep your oral condition in balance.

          The three oral conditions that most affect overall health are:

                   -Cavities

                   -Gum disease

                   -Tooth loss

          The oral environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  The mouth is warm, wet, and has complex structures which are difficult to clean.  If the bacterial colonies are not managed properly, they will over-grow and cause disease to occur. The disease process is not confined to the mouth. The initial problems start as localized inflammation (gingivitis) and is completely reversible.  If the process is not identified and corrected it can proceed to an irreversible condition (Periodontitis).  Once periodontitis occurs it can only be managed but never completely reversed. At Dental Works in Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Mary Ann Work and I offer periodontics to treat conditions that affect the gum tissue.

          The frustrating fact about oral disease is sometimes the patient has no symptoms they can identify.  The most common symptoms are

                   -bleeding gums while brushing or flossing

                   -Bad breath

                   -discolored teeth

                   -red or purple gum tissue

                   -pain while chewing

          If oral disease is left untreated it can lead to other health issues such as

                   -Heart disease

                   -Diabetes

                   - Alzheimer’s

                   -Cancer

          Although the exact mechanism is not well understood the link could involve inflammation in the body.   It is theorized that bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream due to weakened blood vessels in the mouth and infect other organs in the body.

          The best way to combat these issues is to have a good oral hygiene routine as well as have regular check-ups with your dentist. At the check-up, your dentist can establish where your current dental health is at. With this knowledge, your dentist can be proactive with your dental care to make sure any issues are overcome and to give you the healthy and beautiful smile you deserve. Give Dental Works a call today to schedule your next routine dental exam and cleaning! 

 

Terry L. Work DMD