A Window to Your Health
Did you know that the oral health is a window to your general health? Contrary to common belief, the condition of your teeth, gums, tongue and everything in between isn’t separate from the rest of your body. Everything connected! A single mishap in one system can have profound effects in another system, far far away.
What Can Your Oral Health Influence?
Pregnancy – it has been shown through a multitude of studies that periodontists, a severe form of gum disease can lead to premature births and low birth weight. However having cleanings during your pregnancy has proven to increase the birth weight and a healthier baby!
Infection of the lining of the heart – known as endocarditis, occurs when bacteria from areas such as the oral cavity travel through the blood stream and infect the innermost lining of the heart.
Cardiovascular disease – a significant correlation has been seen between bacteria present in the oral cavity and cardiovascular disease. The presence of atherosclerotic plaque and the increased risk for embolisms, stoke or heart attack has been seen to be correlated with oral cavity infections such as periodontists.
What can influence your oral health?
Osteoporosis — the weakening of bones throughout the body can also show decreased bone density and strength in the jaws. Osteoporosis is seen to be a significant factor for periodontal bone loss, leading to the shifting and loosening of teeth. The oral cavity can be one of the first places we can find evidence of osteoporosis is the oral cavity, so its important to get your regular checks by your dentist.
Lowered immunity — conditions that lower the bodies abilities to fight off infection allow the microorganisms that are normally present in the oral cavity to flourish. These conditions can be due to diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or prolonged use of corticosteroids. This can result varying severity of gum disease, fungal infections, and mucosal lesions just to name a few.
Not only is your dentist making sure you have a beautiful healthy smile, but they are actively looking for disturbances in your overall health.
Your oral health is a window to your general health! We at Luna work closely with your other health care professionals as a team, to care for you as a whole individual, not just a set of teeth.
So don’t be alarmed the next time your dentist performs a routine head and neck exam to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.