Many people are of the misconception that oral health is only about having an attractive smile. The fact is that oral health is much more complex and it involves much more than having good teeth. Oral health has a profound influence on the quality of life and if you have any untreated oral diseases or follow poor oral hygiene, it can affect the quality of your life.
Many experts believe that that the condition of your mouth is a mirror image of your health condition. The first step to good oral health is to maintain a good oral hygiene. If you are interested to know more about oral hygiene, click on the following link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_hygiene. Regular visits to your dentist, early detection of oral problems and proper oral care is essential for good oral health.
To help you understand the importance of oral health, we have provided you details about the relationship between oral health and overall health, and on how you can maintain good oral health.
Oral health and Overall health
- There is a strong relationship between oral health and overall health.
- According to recent reports, diseases such as stroke, preterm low birth weight babies and heart disease have been linked to periodontal disease.
- Similarly, nine percent of all systemic diseases are known to have oral manifestations. This would mean that it is possible for dentists to diagnose a health problem before other health care providers.
Health conditions linked to oral health
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Alzheimer’s disease –
Tooth loss that occurs before the age of 35 is considered to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
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Diabetes –
People who have diabetes are prone to having regular gun diseases. Similarly, according to research papers, people who had gum disease found it tough to control their blood sugar levels.
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Endocarditis –
Endocarditis, an infection of the endocardium occurs when bacteria and germs from other body parts (such as mouth) enter the blood stream and infect damaged parts of the heart.
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Pregnancy and child birth –
Premature birth and low birth weight have been linked to periodontitis.
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Osteoporosis –
Research has shown that osteoporosis can be linked to tooth loss or periodontal bone loss.
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Cardiovascular diseases –
Some of the research papers have linked stroke, clogged arteries and other hear diseases to infections and inflammations caused due to oral bacteria.
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HIV/AIDS –
People who have HIV/AIDS are prone to oral problems such as painful mucosal lesions.
How to maintain good oral health
- Regular visits to your dentist (at least once in every six months)
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
- Flossing your teeth daily
- Change your toothbrush every 3 months. If the bristles are frayed before that, change your toothbrush.
- Eat a healthy diet
- Reduce on the between meal snacks
The key to having good oral health is to identify any oral problems that you might have at the earliest. Hence, regular visits to the dentist are important, even if you feel that your teeth and oral cavity are in good shape. Dentists will be able to detect oral problems well before they become a cause for concern, thereby helping you to maintain health gums, teeth and mouth.
Matthew Allen is the marketing and outreach coordinator for Ashland Dental Health.
