How Cavities & Gum Disease Affect Your Whole Body

HOWCAVITIES & GUM DISEASE AFFECT THE REST OF YOUR BODY Take care of your teeth & gums so you can KEEP your teeth & gums! That's a pretty good argument for proper dental care. It has even more value when you see how closely the health of your mouth is connected to your OVERALL HEALTH. Oral health provides insight into the rest of your body. One study suggests that people with gum disease are 40% more likely 40% to have a chronic condition on top of it. How can bad teeth affect your body? O There are over 500 species of bacteria living in your mouth at any given time. * Those bacteria build up plaque on teeth and at the gum line, causing gingivitis & periodontitis. O A healthy immune system will normally kill these baceria, but a weak one may leave you vulnerable. O They normally can't enter your bloodstream, but some conditions allow it. Invasive dental treatments may also make it possible. * A lack of saliva can cause imbalances in the mouth, leading to bacterial buildup. * If you have gum disease, routine brushing can create a "port of entry" for the bacteria. Conditions that might be caused by bad oral health Note that the current research is showing an association between these conditions and mouth infections, but more will be needed to determine whether oral infections actually cause them. ENDOCARDITIS An infection of the inner lining of the heart that may be caused when oral bacteria in the blood attaches to damaged areas of the heart. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE An infection of the inner lining of the heart that may be caused when oral bacteria in the blood attaches to damaged areas of the heart. Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis 91 DIABETES Inflammation that starts percent in the mouth seems to weaken the body's ability to control blood sugar. PREMATURE BIRTH Periodontitis has been linked to premature births and low birth weights, because infections and inflammation in general may interfere with proper fetus development. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, as many as 18% of preterm, low-birth-weight babies born in the United States each year could be attributed to oral infections. Conditions that may contribute to oral health problems DIABETES Diabetes is on both sides of this equation. It reduces the body's resistance to infection, putting gums at a higher risk for gum disease. HIV/AIDS Painful mucosal lesions are more common in people who have HIV/AIDS. OSTEOPOROSIS Periodontal bone loss is similar to osteoporosis, so research is looking into a possible link. THE SOLUTION Take care of yourself by taking a comprehensive approach to health. Oral health is a critical part of your overall wellbeing, so that means you need to: Brush & Floss Daily Eat Healthy Foods Limit sugary snacks that stick to your teeth Get regular checkups Resources: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475 http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/why-a-healthy-mouth-is-good-for-your-body HENRICH DENTAL HD COSMETIC & RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY