How does my oral health affect my heart health?
One of the first things we want our patients to remember is that everything that happens inside your mouth affects the rest of your body. That means if you're healthy inside your mouth—your teeth, gums, and tongue are healthy—then it's going to be good for the rest of your body. Conversely, if things aren't healthy in your mouth, such as having gum disease or cavities, it will negatively impact the rest of your body. One of the biggest places it can affect is your heart. While we all know that exercise and a proper diet are vital to maintaining heart health and minimizing the risks of heart attack and stroke, we must also remember that keeping our mouth healthy is crucial. We want to prevent gum disease, which occurs when bacteria in our mouth thrive and take root above and below the gums. During regular check-ups, we ensure not only that the teeth are healthy and cavity-free but also that the gums are healthy. If gum disease is present, it indicates an excess of bacteria in your mouth, which can increase the risk of heart attack. In your heart, many blood vessels need to remain clear and clean. When they fill up with fat or bacteria, blood flow is restricted, which can cause the heart to fail, leading to a heart attack. Therefore, minimizing bacterial infection, especially in your mouth, is critical.
Is there a link between oral health and cancer?
Numerous studies conducted by universities across the country and the world have linked gum disease to various kinds of cancer. Research has shown that even a slight presence of gum disease can increase the risk of lung cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer, with risk increases ranging from 20% to 50%. Thus, we definitely want to ensure our patients are free from gum disease. If it's present, we strive to help them eliminate it.
How can oral health impact my diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease affecting how insulin controls blood sugar levels. In healthy individuals, insulin is produced to manage blood sugar. However, patients with diabetes either struggle to produce insulin or have difficulty utilizing it. If gum disease is present, it complicates the body's ability to use insulin effectively, making it harder for diabetic patients to manage their condition. Additionally, gum disease can further compromise the already decreased immune response in diabetic patients, making it harder for their bodies to combat the disease. Therefore, it's vital to keep gum disease under control.
Why is dental care important during pregnancy?
We always emphasize the importance of good dental care for ensuring overall health. For pregnant patients, this becomes even more crucial as they are caring for both their own body and that of their baby. Health issues in the mouth can affect the rest of the body and, subsequently, the baby. If a pregnant patient has gum disease, there's a risk of passing the infection to the fetus. Therefore, we strive to maintain their oral health not just for their well-being, but also for the health of their baby.