Oral Hygiene — How It Influences Your Total Health

TOOTH AND GUM PROBLEMS CAN AFFECT MORE THAN YOUR MOUTH

Every organ in your body influences the others, so issues that originate in one spot can have a much wider chain reaction. In this article, our group at MINT dentistry in Houston Greenway discusses the connections between your oral health and your general health. Hundreds of studies are being conducted across the globe that are venturing to figure out how oral health influences overall health or how general health can affect oral health. Imperfect oral health (especially gum disease) can elevate your likelihood of ending up with cardiac disease, make it tougher to regulate diabetes, and during pregnancy, harm the baby's health. Every one of these is great reasons to make sure you have a suitable oral health system at home and schedule twice-yearly appointments with a dental practitioner in Houston, TX.

IN WHAT WAYS CAN YOUR ORAL HEALTH HELP OR HARM YOUR OVERALL HEALTH?
Your mouth is basically a direct pathway to the heart, stomach, and other vital organs. It makes sense that an infection or inflammation of the teeth or gums can eventually advance to diverse areas of the body. These are some of the most alarming conditions that could be affected by oral health:

• CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
  Scientists have data that shows that swelling of the teeth and gums (mostly from periodontal disease) can raise a person's chances of having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Studies are underway to investigate the idea that oral bacteria could induce swelling in the vascular system.
• ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
  Scientists are looking at the relationship between good dental health and greater cognitive function in older patients. For women and men who have Alzheimer's disease, they have found a likely link to unsatisfactory oral health. Dementia and impaired cognitive ability often spur more tooth and gum problems, most likely because the individual has trouble sticking to their home oral care routine.
• PREGNANCY ISSUES
  The variations in hormones during gestation can put a woman at heightened risk for developing periodontal disease. Gestational gingivitis causes inflamed gums that bleed easily. Having advanced gum disease (periodontitis) while pregnant has been associated with early delivery and underweight newborns. For this reason, it's critical for expecting mothers to practice good oral hygiene daily to head off gum disease and other oral health issues.
• DIABETES
  Patients with diabetes should pay close attention to the condition of their gums to help control their blood sugar levels. Recurring or untreated periodontal disease can make it more difficult for the body to manage blood sugar. In times when you have trouble controlling your diabetes, set up a consultation with a dental practitioner in Houston, TX to find out if periodontal disease might be part of the difficulty.

KEY ORAL HYGIENE FACTORS
You have numerous ways to improve or keep up your oral health, and consequently, your overall health. These begin with a thorough oral hygiene routine at home and visiting your dental practitioner in Houston, TX regularly.

• HAVE DENTAL CLEANINGS TWICE A YEAR
  To get rid of the plaque and tartar that can collect on your teeth, you need to see your dentist in Houston, TX no less than twice every year to have a professional cleaning. During your cleanings, your hygienist will check your gum tissue and look for other evidence of gingivitis (the primary stage of periodontitis).
• BRUSH NO LESS THAN TWO TIMES A DAY
  At minimum two times per day, you ought to be cleaning your teeth for no less than two minutes with a fluoridated toothpaste. Be careful that you aren't scrubbing too aggressively with the toothbrush as this can erode your enamel and promote receding gums.
• FLOSS DAILY
  Flossing is particularly important in defending against gum problems. Adults and children ought to floss once a day to remove the plaque and debris from between their teeth. To ensure you are flossing the right way, ask your dentist or hygienist to teach you the proper way to floss during your next cleaning.
• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
  To improve your oral health, talk to your dental practitioner about using preventive options to help in preventing dental problems. These can include dental sealants, which can protect your molars from developing cavities, or fluoride mouth rinses to bolster your enamel.
• TALK TO YOUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
  When speaking to your dental practitioner, be straightforward about your medical history and any existing medical conditions. Notify him or her if you have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or gum disease. You may be encouraged to set up oral health assessments more often than yearly.
• INFORM YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
  If your doctor is treating you for blood sugar issues or cardiac disease, he or she needs to be told about any oral health problems. Periodontal disease can have a considerable influence on your total health.
• HANDLE ORAL HEALTH ISSUES PROMPTLY
  In the event that your dentist finds a problem, make sure you schedule an appointment promptly to get it addressed. If you develop any symptoms of an oral health issue, such as chronic toothaches, inflamed or bleeding gums, or problems chewing, you need to arrange an appointment.
• HAVE YEARLY COMPREHENSIVE ORAL HEALTH EXAMS
  At your yearly oral health assessment, your dental team will use digital x-rays and other diagnostic tools to check for concerns. Early management of problems will help you prevent bigger problems later. In addition, issues that are caught early can usually be taken care of with quicker, noninvasive procedures.

IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HEALTH TO ELEVATE YOUR GENERAL HEALTH
Begin taking care of your oral health and support your overall health. Scientists have evidence that shows that inflammation and bacteria in your mouth might be harmful to your overall health, both now and in the long run. Paying attention to your mouth is a crucial part of your overall health, so plan a visit with a dentist in Houston, TX to have an oral health exam and professional cleaning. If you need a fantastic team of skilled dental practitioners who offer preventive care, as well as restorative treatments, get in touch with MINT dentistry in Houston Greenway. We would be happy to help you and your family attain shining, healthy smiles at our office in Houston, TX.