Dental Care And How It Is Connected to Your General Health

ORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS CAN AFFECT MORE THAN YOUR TEETH AND GUMS

Every single part of the human body can impact other areas, so problems that begin in one place can cause a much wider effect. In this post, our group at MINT dentistry in McKinney examines the links between your teeth and gums and your general health. A multitude of research studies is in progress all over the world that are endeavoring to determine how oral health influences overall health and how general health can impact oral health. Imperfect oral health (especially periodontal disease) can elevate your risk of ending up with heart disease, make it more complicated to regulate blood glucose, and in women who are expecting, affect the baby's health. Every one of these is excellent reasons to ensure you have a good oral health regimen at home and set up biannual appointments with a dental professional in McKinney, TX.

HOW CAN YOUR TEETH AND GUMS HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR TOTAL HEALTH?
The mouth is essentially a direct pathway to many vital organs, including the stomach and heart. It's understandable that a disease or inflammation in the oral cavity can eventually spread to various locations of your body. Here are the top four most alarming conditions that may be influenced by your oral health:

• ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
  Researchers are studying the relationship between good oral health and increased cognitive function in seniors. For women and men who have Alzheimer's disease, there is a potential link to unsatisfactory oral health. Dementia and lessening cognitive function frequently bring on more tooth and gum problems, most likely because the patient has difficulty maintaining his or her home oral care routine.
• DIABETES
  People with diabetes should pay careful attention to their gum health to help regulate their blood sugar levels. Lingering or untreated periodontal disease could make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar. In times when you have trouble regulating your diabetes, schedule a visit with a dentist in McKinney, TX to determine if periodontal disease might be part of your difficulty.
• HEART DISEASE
  There is data that indicates that swelling in the oral cavity (typically from periodontal disease) can elevate someone's potential for having a cardiac event or stroke. Research is underway to look at the theory that bacteria in your mouth could bring about inflammation in the veins.
• PREGNANCY PROBLEMS
  The swings in hormones during gestation can put an expecting mother at greater risk for developing gum disease. Pregnancy gingivitis causes red, swollen gums that are prone to bleeding. Having progressive periodontal disease (periodontitis) while pregnant has been shown to correlate with early birth and underweight newborns. It follows that it's very important for women to brush and floss daily to defend against periodontitis and other oral health problems.

CRUCIAL ORAL HEALTH STEPS
There are multiple things you can do to upgrade or maintain your oral health, and in turn, your overall health. These begin with a diligent dental hygiene regimen at home and going to your dental practitioner in McKinney, TX twice a year.

• HAVE YEARLY COMPREHENSIVE ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
  For your annual oral health evaluation, your dental team will use digital x-rays and other diagnostic equipment to check for issues. Early treatment of issues can help you defend against more serious problems in the long run. Plus, problems that are caught early can typically be remedied with easier, less invasive treatments.
• FLOSS YOUR TEETH DAILY
  Flossing your teeth is particularly important in warding off periodontal problems. Adults and children ought to floss every day to eliminate the plaque and debris from the spaces between your teeth. To confirm you are flossing properly, ask your dental practitioner or hygienist to show you the most productive way to floss at your next visit.
• HAVE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS BIANNUALLY
  To remove the plaque and tartar that can accumulate on your teeth, it's critical to go to your dentist in McKinney, TX at least two times per year to get a dental cleaning. During these cleanings, your dental practitioner will examine your gum tissue and check for other evidence of gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease).
• SPEAK TO YOUR GENERAL PRACTITIONER ABOUT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
  If your usual physician is prescribing you medicine for blood sugar issues or cardiovascular disease, he or she needs to be told about any oral health problems. Periodontal disease can have a substantial effect on your total health.
• HANDLE ORAL HEALTH ISSUES PROMPTLY
  If your dentist detects an issue, it's key to make an appointment right away to get it dealt with. If you develop any symptoms of an oral health issue, such as persistent toothaches, red and swollen or bleeding gums, or discomfort while eating, you should arrange a checkup.
• TALK TO YOUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
  When visiting your dental practitioner, be direct regarding your medical history and any current conditions. Alert him or her if you have any relatives with heart disease, diabetes, or gum disease. You might be asked to set up oral health examinations more often than one time per year.
• CONSIDER PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
  To enhance the health of your teeth and gums, talk to your dentist about having preventive treatments to assist in heading off dental issues. These often include dental sealants, which will shield your back teeth from acquiring cavities, or fluoride mouth rinses to harden your enamel.
• BRUSH YOUR TEETH A MINIMUM OF TWICE DAILY
  At least twice a day, you need to be brushing your teeth for no less than two minutes with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Check that you aren't pressing too hard with the toothbrush as it can erode your enamel and cause gum recession.

BOOST YOUR ORAL HEALTH TO ELEVATE YOUR TOTAL WELL-BEING
Begin taking care of your oral health and support your general health. Scientists have evidence that indicates that inflammation and germs in your mouth have the potential to be harmful to your general health, both now and long-term. Prioritizing your mouth is an important part of your overall health, so schedule a checkup with a dental practitioner in McKinney, TX to get an oral health exam and professional cleaning. When you need a terrific team of experienced dental practitioners who provide preventive care in addition to restorative treatments, visit MINT dentistry in McKinney. We would love to help you and your family get shining, healthy teeth at our location in McKinney, TX.